TITLE: Senior/Principal Radiochemist-MCFR

LOCATION: Everett, WA, USA

TerraPower is a nuclear energy technology company based in Bellevue, Washington. At our core, we are working to raise living standards globally. The essential factor? Energy. In 2006, the company 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 act 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. TerraPower is committed to bringing sustainable, affordable and safe energy to address global issues. 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.

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. TerraPower is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate in hiring based on 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) to proactively recruit, hire, and promote women, minorities, disabled persons, and veterans.

Principal 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 Principal Radiochemist to directly contribute and take leadership roles to fulfill this mission. The Principal Radiochemist will directly be involved in experiments 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 radiochemical 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:

* Lead and assist experiments, including as a Principal Investigator.

* Propose, design and conduct synthesis of actinide compounds, develop chemistry and processes in high temperature molten salts, and support thermodynamic and kinetic measurements therein.

* Lead and 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 design and safe practices in all experimental activities.

* Assist in the training, developing, and mentoring of employees.

* Lead and assist in ensuring organization, housekeeping and effectiveness of TerraPower R&D radiochemistry use areas and production facilities is always maintained at a high standard.

* Perform other general duties associated with position as member of radiochemistry team to ensure ongoing effectiveness and continuous improvement of TerraPower R&D efforts.

Key Qualifications and Skills

* A doctoral level (PhD) degree in radiochemistry, chemistry, or equivalent disciplines with additional 5+ years of demonstrated hands-on laboratory experience and expertise in radiochemistry, chemical and radiochemical synthesis, and chemical separations.

* Demonstrated experience of bulk actinide and radiological material synthesis, processing or handling under controlled environments is required.

* Extensive background of the chemistry of nuclear systems and radiochemistry relevant to the fuel cycle.

* Extensive background in radiochemistry relevant to advanced nuclear reactor development.

* Demonstrated leadership within multifunctional teams and in the execution of complex projects is desired.

* Demonstrated experience working in inert and moisture-free atmospheres, such as gloveboxes and Schlenk lines, and adapting equipment for use in such environments is compulsory.

* Experience designing and executing of experiments with high temperature molten salts preferred.

* Expertise in characterization methods relevant to actinide compounds is needed. The characterization techniques include ICP-OES, ICP-MS, TGA/DSC, XRD, alpha spectroscopy, gamma spectroscopy, and chromatography (IC, HPLC, TLC), and experience with at least four of these techniques is desired.

* Experience in thermophysical property measurements and modelling is a plus.

* Experience with planning, design and execution of electrochemical, spectroscopic and spectroelectrochemical experiments is a plus.

* Experience leading the design and execution of complex experimental studies.

* Experience demonstrating the highest standards with respect to safety and radiation protection in all work activities, particularly regarding NRC standards.

* 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.

* Ability to structure and plan basic and applied research in the radiochemistry and other areas relevant to TerraPower.

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).

* 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.

* Work location: This is an on-site position and the applicant will be expected to spend significant time at the Everett labs in WA.

* Travel required <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 MCFR Senior Radiochemist (NSE 4): $120,672 - $201,119

Salary Range Level MCFR Principal Radiochemist (NSE 5): $163,702 - $268,939

*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: