R&D Radiochemist at TerraPower – Everett, Washington
About This Position
Location: Location: Everett, Washington, United States
Job Type: Full-time
Description:TITLE: R&D Radiochemist
LOCATION: Everett, WA, USA
TerraPower Isotopes® (TPI™) has been established to pursue medical isotopes development--advancing nuclear science for significant human health benefits. We seek to support revolutionary radiotherapies for treatments of various cancers through the supply of radioisotopes. TPI currently produces actinium-225 for the growing alpha therapy market and intends to expand.
The TerraPower Isotopes (TPI) business is an integral part of the Washington State based TerraPower team, a company working to raise living standards globally. 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. TerraPower’s mission is to be a world leader in new nuclear technologies, while developing innovators and future leaders in the nuclear field.
TPI is seeking to hire highly motivated and forward-thinking professionals who are interested in focusing on advanced radiopharmaceutical applications and influencing change within nuclear medicine. 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) to proactively recruit, hire, and promote women, minorities, disabled persons and veterans.
R&D Radiochemist
Paragraph introducing role/responsibilities.
TPI seeks to support revolutionary radiotherapies for treatments of cancers, such as prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma by supplying radioisotopes that currently cannot be accessed in amounts required to develop medical treatments. The R&D Radiochemist will support TPI’s efforts toward the long-term production of actinium-225, leveraging specific expertise and experience working with chemicals and/or radionuclides at scales relevant to this goal.
This position interfaces with a dynamic interdisciplinary environment 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 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.
• Develop and conduct radiochemistry experiments focused on manufacture and purification of radioisotopes.
• Assist in radiochemistry laboratory and system development, including efforts for flexible experimental chemistry capabilities to support TerraPower R&D activities.
• Provide radiochemistry support for the design, scale-up, start-up and ongoing production of radioisotopes and associated equipment and containment systems.
• Assist in the development of novel projects related to TerraPower research emphasizing radionuclides and nuclear technology.
• Interface effectively with TerraPower quality assurance disciplines as needed to ensure quality of experiments, analytical methods, and engineering designs are maintained and continuously improved.
• 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.
• Support ensuring organization, housekeeping and effectiveness of TerraPower R&D radiochemistry use areas and production facilities is maintained at a high standard at all times.
• 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 bachelor's degree (or international equivalent) and minimum of 2 years of relevant experience, or a master’s degree with 0-2 years of experience.
• Demonstrated hands-on laboratory experience and expertise including but not limited to the following fields chemistry, radiochemistry, radiochemical separations, inorganic chemistry, and/or chemical synthesis.
• Familiarity with the principles of separation chemistry and/or chromatography including but not limited to lanthanide and actinide materials and other radioisotopes, with emphasis on experience conducting column-based separations of radioactive materials.
• Proficient in calculations such as activity, equilibrium, and kinetics.
• Hands-on experience or familiarization outside of a classroom setting conducting some analytical measurements relevant to metal complexes with an emphasis on the radionuclidic characterization of actinide compounds including one or more of the following ICP-MS, ICP-OES, alpha spectroscopy, gamma spectroscopy, metalation reactions/radiolabeling, HPLC, ion chromatography, ESI-MS, and wet-chemistry techniques.
• Experience conducting complex experimental studies with moderate supervision, identifying and responding to unexpected results, and communicating research results effectively in a team environment.
• Demonstrated commitment to meet stakeholder expectations and reliably perform work to deliver high quality results on time.
• Experience working and communicating productively in a multidisciplinary team including R&D, production, quality assurance, and engineering design functions.
• Experience working and handling a high level of radioactive materials within hot cells (preferable, but not essential), glove boxes (strongly preferable), fume hoods (essential) and conducting experiments on laboratory benchtops.
• Ability to understand requirements (regulations, codes and standards, etc.), incorporate them into TerraPower documents, and provide associated guidance to TerraPower personnel.
• Flexibility to work periodic off-hours.
• Experience demonstrating the highest standards with respect to safety and if applicable radiation protection in all work activities and familiarity with radiation protection and NRC standards.
• 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.
Responsibilities
The R&D Radiochemist primary responsibilities include:
• Develop and conduct radiochemistry experiments focused on manufacture and purification of radioisotopes under the mentorship of a Senior R&D Radiochemist.
• Assist in radiochemistry laboratory and system development, including efforts for flexible experimental chemistry capabilities to support TerraPower R&D activities.
• 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.
• Support ensuring organization, housekeeping and effectiveness of TerraPower R&D radiochemistry use areas and production facilities is maintained at a high standard at all times.
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/or 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 25 pounds
• Repetitive work: Prolonged
• Special Senses: Visual and audio focused work
• Work Conditions: Stairs, typing/keyboard, standard and/or sitting working environment of >8 hrs./day
• Position is based in Everett, WA and work on-site in a radiochemical production laboratory is required.
• Travel required: 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
Job Type: Full-time
Salary Range L10: $117,922 - $176,883
Salary Range L9: $102,804 - $154,206
*We typically place offers in the lower to middle portion of the range to maintain internal equity and allow room for growth. Any salary offered within the posted salary band is based on market data and commensurate with the selected individual’s qualifications 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
Please visit https://www.terrapower.com/careers/ to apply