Radiochemist / Senior Radiochemist - MCFR

TITLE:                Radiochemist/ Senior Radiochemist - MCFR

LOCATION:        Everett, WA          

TerraPower is a nuclear technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At its core, the company is working to raise living standards globally through a more affordable, secure and environmentally friendly form of nuclear energy along with innovations in medical isotopes to improve human health. In 2006, TerraPower originated with Bill Gates and a group of like-minded visionaries who evaluated the fundamental challenges to raising living standards around the world. They recognized energy access was crucial to the health and economic well-being of communities and decided that the private sector needed to take action and create energy sources that would advance global energy deployment. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field. As a result, the company’s activities in the fields of nuclear energy and related sciences are yielding significant innovations in the safety and economics of nuclear power, hybrid energy and medical applications – all for significant human health benefits.

TerraPower is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced nuclear reactor research and development and influencing change within the nuclear power landscape and bringing forward the critical production of medical isotopes.  TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. In addition, as a federal contractor, TerraPower has instituted an Affirmative Action Plan (AAP) in an effort to proactively recruit, hire, and promote women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.

Radiochemist/Senior Radiochemist - MCFR

TerraPower, LLC is on a mission to build a highly efficient, low-cost and carbon-free energy solution to help utilities and industries reach decarbonization goals. We are seeking a highly talented and motivated candidate for the position of Radiochemist/Senior Radiochemist to directly contribute to this mission. The Radiochemist/Senior Radiochemist will directly be involved in experimental related to the Molten Chloride Fast Reactor (MCFR) technology and is expected to work at the interface of nuclear reactor development and novel waste reduction technologies. The candidate should have demonstrated laboratory capabilities in experimental design and implementation. It is anticipated the candidate may serve as Principal Investigator (PI) on several experimental efforts.

This position interfaces with a dynamic cross-functional, multi-cultural, interdisciplinary team in which effective communication, teamwork and collaboration is required, while maintaining composure to act safely, ensure quality of data, and enable timely decision-making. The position requires contribution to experiment design, execution, and data analysis on chloride based molten salt systems that directly contributes to address gaps in understanding of molten salt chemistry that are needed to transition to a demonstration reactor program. Some specific requirements of the position involve (but are not limited to) actinide salt synthesis, salt analysis and characterization, and thermodynamic and kinetic property measurements of actinides and fission products in high temperature molten salts.

The position will require good judgement in ensuring regulatory compliance while delivering on commercial production and engineering design needs. The candidate must be capable of working closely with a focused and high achieving group, working with minimal day-to-day supervision, and relocating to the Everett, WA area. 

Responsibilities:

• Propose, develop, conduct, and analyze results of experiments to support preparation of actinide chloride compounds.
• Propose, develop, conduct, and analyze results of experiments to support thermodynamic and kinetic measurements in high temperature molten salts.
• Assist in radiochemistry laboratory developments, including the design of flexible experimental chemistry capabilities to support TerraPower R&D activities.
• Prepare technical reports, peer review manuscripts, intellectual property documents and conference presentations.
• Maintain laboratory procedures (e.g., calibration, analytical methods, notebook results preparation, usage documentation).
• Perform all work in compliance with site safety and radiation protection guidelines, including effective teamwork and communication with health physicists, authorized users and RSO.
• Emphasize safety in new and existing designs and safe practices in all experimental activities.
• Assist in the training, developing, and mentoring of employees.
• Perform other general duties associated with position as member of TerraPower team to ensure ongoing effectiveness and continuous improvement of R&D efforts.

Key Qualifications and Skills

• A doctoral level (PhD) degree in chemistry, radiochemistry, materials science, physics, or a related subject, or a master’s level degree in related disciplines with a minimum of 3 years of experience.
• Significant demonstrated hands-on laboratory experience and expertise in radiochemistry, radiochemical separations, and chemical synthesis required.
• Extensive background in radiochemistry relevant to advanced nuclear reactor development.
• An understanding of the chemistry of nuclear systems and nuclear fuel cycles is a plus.
• Experience working in inert and moisture-free atmospheres, such as gloveboxes, and adapting equipment for use in such environments preferred.
• Experience with design and execution of experiments high temperature molten salts preferred.
• Expertise in characterization methods relevant to actinide compounds including ICP-OES, ICP-MS, TGA/DSC, XRD and SEM in addition to other common laboratory analytical techniques is a plus.
• Experience with design and execution of electrochemical and spectroscopic experiments is a plus.
• Experience working and communicating productively in a multidisciplinary team including R&D, production, quality assurance, and engineering design functions.
• Ability to understand requirements (regulations, codes and standards, etc.), incorporate them into TerraPower documents, and provide associated guidance to TerraPower personnel.
• Strong organizational and communication skills including technical writing, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• The successful candidate will possess a high degree of trust and integrity, communicate openly and display respect and a desire to foster teamwork.

Job Functions

Job Functions are physical actions and/or working conditions associated with the position.  These functions may also constitute essential functions for the job which the employee must be able to fulfill, with or without accommodation.  Information provided below is to help describe the job so that the applicant has a reasonable understanding of the job duties/expectations.  An applicant's ability to perform and/or tolerate these actions and conditions will be discussed and workplace accommodations may be made on a case-by-case basis following an individualized assessment of the applicant and other considerations, including but not limited to any governing safety standards.

• Motor Abilities: Sitting and standing for extended periods, bending/stooping, grasping/gripping, fine motor control (hands).
• Physical exertion and/or requirements: Minimal, with ability to safely lift up to 50 pounds.
• Repetitive work: Prolonged.
• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work and ability to perform role in personal protective equipment.
• Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hrs./day.
• Travel: 0-5%

TerraPower’s technology is controlled for export by various agencies of the U.S. Government.  TerraPower must evaluate applicants who are foreign nationals (other than asylees, refugees, or lawful permanent residents) in accordance with U.S. Government export control requirements.  To facilitate TerraPower’s export control reviews, you will be asked as part of the application process to identify whether you are a U.S. Citizen or national, asylee, refugee, or lawful permanent resident of the United States.  Government export authorization approval times vary.  Based on the business needs for a particular position, TerraPower may not consider a foreign national from a country if it is impracticable to obtain timely Government export approval. 

Job details

Salary Range Level 10: $105,236 - $157,855

Salary Range Level 11: $116,030 - $193,384

*Typically, our employee salaries are within .90 – 1.0 of the mid-point of the posted salary bands.  Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience.  This range is specific to Washington State.

Benefits:

• Competitive Compensation
• Salary, eligible to participate in discretionary short-term incentive payments
• Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Benefits Medical
  • Vision
  • Dental
  • Life
  • Life and Disability
  • Gender Affirmation Benefits
  • Parental Leave
• 401k Plan
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
  • 21 days of annually accrued PTO
• Generous Holiday Schedule
  • 10 paid holidays
• Relocation Assistance
• Professional and Educational Support Opportunities
• Flexible Work Schedule

 TerraPower Career and Benefits information:  https://www.terrapower.com/contact-us/careers/

Salary : $116,030 - $193,384