Group Leader - Process Coordination

Overview: 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking a senior technical leader for our world class radioisotope production program. Supporting the largest radioisotope production and research portfolio within the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science for Isotope R&D and Production, as well as extensive isotope production programs for the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy and National Nuclear Security Administration, this position will grant you the opportunity to work with rare nuclear materials and ensure the safe and effective execution of nuclear materials processing. This position as the leader of the Process Coordination Group (PCG) resides within the Radioisotope Science and Technology Division (RSTD) of the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate (ISED) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). The highly accomplished staff within the RSTD use the unique facilities at ORNL, including the High Flux Isotope Reactor (HFIR) and the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center (REDC), to produce a variety of important medical, scientific, and industrial radioisotopes. These include several alpha/beta emitting radioisotopes either deployed or under clinical trial for treatment of cancer (e.g., Ac-225, Ac-227, Ra-224/Pb-212, and W-188); heavy actinides Bk-249, Es-254, and Fm-257 for fundamental chemistry research and new element discovery; Cf-252 for neutron emitting applications; Pu-238 for space exploration; and Ni-63 and Pm-147 for industrial applications. As the leader of the PCG you will report directly to the Director of the RSTD, and you will be a primary coordination resource between the RSTD, the Nonreactor Nuclear Facilities Division, and the Isotope Production and Manufacturing Division, which also reside in the ISED. You will coordinate between the competing priorities of isotope production, research and development, waste management, and maintenance to prioritize and optimize work within the constraints of the operating facilities. You will issue regular plans for practical nuclear material processing plans and material movement logistics based on the process development and proposed by research and operations staff. You will work closely with the facility manager and staff to ensure work is completed in compliance with the extremely high standards of nuclear facility operations You will work to create a production and reliability focused environment, so that ORNL can be successful in meeting our mission to supply critical nuclear materials for science, medicine, and industry, that no one else can.

Major Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of engineers supporting the processing of nuclear materials for delivery to customers
• Set a technical vision for continuous improvement and optimization
• Work closely with the facility operations organizations to execute work in compliance with the facility safety envelope.
• Work closely with research and development staff to execute the processes that they have developed and to establish routine, robust production, and quality control.
• Provide mentoring and career guidance to a team of roughly 10 engineers, including facilitating knowledge transfer and strategic development of early career staff.
• Provide imaginative, thorough solutions to streamline materials handling and increase the efficiency of radioisotope processing.
• Implement continuous improvement and ensure work is completed to the safety, security, and quality standards of a national laboratory.
• Maintain detailed records relating to nuclear materials processing
• Serve in professional societies and standards development committees
• As a member of the ORNL scientific community, you will be expected to commit to ORNL's Research Code of Conduct. Our full code of conduct, and a statement by the Lab Director's office can be found here: https://www.ornl.gov/content/research-integrity

Basic Qualifications:

• A Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or similar field, and a minimum of eight years of related experience is required. Work towards an advanced degree can be applied to up to two years of this experience.
• Experience with the execution of chemical processing techniques such as solvent extraction and ion exchange
• Experience in manufacturing scale chemical processing
• Experience in developing material process flow sheets
• Experience reading radioanalytical data such as gamma, alpha, and mass spectroscopy
• Experience developing schedules and work plans for complex projects
• Strong leadership and communication skills

 Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a radiochemical operations environment
• Experience with a remote hot cell environment
• Experience translating research and development processes into reliable operations
• Experience in maintaining high levels of process documentation and quality control and assurance
• Line management experience with direct supervisory responsibility for a team

Special Requirements:

• L clearance

About the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate (ISED):
Established in 2020, the Isotope Science and Engineering Directorate is strengthening Oak Ridge National Laboratory's leadership in isotope production and enrichment technology innovation. ISED is guiding the Lab's pursuit of the fundamental science and technology that broadens the application of isotopes for energy, environmental, medical, and national security purposes. These efforts are made possible through the High Flux Isotope Reactor, the Radiochemical Engineering Development Center, ORNL's other nuclear facilities, and an assemblage of world-leading scientists and engineers.  Please visit https://www.ornl.gov/directorate/isotopes for more information about ISED.

Benefits at ORNL:
UT-Battelle offers a quality benefits package, including a matching 401(k), contributory pension plan, paid vacation, and medical/dental plan options.  Onsite amenities include a credit union, medical clinic, cafeteria, and fitness facilities.

Relocation:
Moving can be overwhelming and expensive.  UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process.  Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions.  If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.
For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the “About” tab at https://jobs.ornl.gov.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.