Assistant Scientist

The Opportunity:

The WSU Nuclear Science Center (NSC) provides a collaborative environment where WSU faculty, staff, students, and clients can succeed in their basic and applied nuclear science research goals. The NSC prepares WSU students for successful entry into the scientific workforce, provides the pathway to discovery in novel research, and makes impactful contributions to science and to the people who work and study here. The Center is a multidisciplinary teaching, research, and service endeavor designed to make high-impact contributions to nuclear science, national and international security, nuclear non-proliferation, and emergency readiness.

As the Assistant Scientist in the Nuclear Science Center in the Office of Research you will be responsible for identifying and defining research problems, designing approaches, hypotheses, and methodologies, designing specific phases of research projects, analyzing results, developing conclusions, and presenting research results in publishable form. You will perform laboratory research including the design of research approaches and identifying and defining research problems. Additionally, safely prepare, handle, and analyze samples that can be radioactive while also collecting, analyzing, and interpreting research data.

You will ensure quality control, in addition to making improvements to techniques and interpretation. Additionally, your duties will include assisting in preparing journal publications and progress reports. Maintaining daily laboratory and instrument operations. Conducting general laboratory maintenance and routine care of scientific instrumentation; sample preparation, orders supplies, keeps inventory records and maintains a safe working environment.

Required Qualifications:

A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline and three (3) years of progressively responsible related professional research experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis. A Master’s degree in an appropriate related scientific or engineering discipline may be substituted for up to one year of the required work experience.

Satisfactory background check.

Must be a U.S. citizen at time of hire.

Within 6 months of hire, must complete the CPR, first aide, and AED trainings.

Preferred Qualifications:

Masters degree, or Bachelors degree and at least two (2) years of laboratory/professional research experience.

Knowledge of stoichiometry, sample preparation, and laboratory/experimental techniques.

Experience with preparing quality data and reports.

Skill in operating and calibrating scientific instrumentation.