Technical Professional - Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility

Requisition Id15423

Overview:

The Material Signatures and Isotopic Standards (MSIS) group in the Chemical Sciences Division (CSD), Physical Sciences Directorate (PSD) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is seeking an experienced NMR technical professional to actively lead our comprehensive Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facilities and contribute to the advancement of NMR-based research across ORNL's multidisciplinary science programs. This position offers a unique opportunity to continue to build a world-class NMR instrumentation while fostering collaboration between quantum information science, materials characterization, and energy research initiatives. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining operational excellence of our NMR infrastructure, developing new experimental protocols, and supporting innovative research fulfilling the mission of the DOE.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

Facility Management & Development:

• Oversee the operation, maintenance, and strategic development of ORNL's comprehensive NMR facilities, including high-field solid-state and solution-state spectrometers.
• Develop and implement long-term strategic plans for facility upgrades, ensuring ORNL maintains state-of-the-art NMR capabilities.
• Manage scheduling and resource allocation to optimize instrument access for both internal researchers and external collaborators.
• Design and implement standard operating procedures and best practices for equipment usage, safety protocols, and data management.
• Budget management and resource planning for facility operations, maintenance contracts, and consumables.
• Liaise with equipment vendors for maintenance, repairs, and facility expansions.

Technical Leadership & Expertise:

• Provide expert guidance on experimental design, pulse sequence development, and data analysis methodologies across solid-state and solution-state NMR applications.
• Implement advanced NMR techniques including magic-angle spinning (MAS), multidimensional experiments, relaxometry, and diffusion-based methods.
• Develop novel experimental protocols for the characterization of a wide number of applications including carbon-based materials, polymers, composites, battery materials and quantum materials.
• Interface NMR experiments with complementary techniques such as neutron scattering, electron microscopy, SAXS/WAXS, and optical spectroscopy.
• Explore applications connecting NMR techniques with cryogenic environments and quantum sensing platforms.

Research Collaboration & User Support:

• Work with interdisciplinary research teams across ORNL's divisions to support cutting-edge materials characterization
• Provide training, consultation, and technical support to facility users with varying levels of NMR expertise
• Collaborate on grant proposals and research initiatives that leverage NMR capabilities
• Assist users in experimental design, data interpretation, and troubleshooting complex NMR experiments
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Innovation & Research Advancement:

• Lead technical development of NMR capabilities relevant to ORNL's mission areas.
• Author and co-author scientific publications, technical reports, and presentations.
• Represent ORNL at professional conferences, workshops, and collaborative meetings.
• Explore integration of advanced computational methods with NMR data analysis, including machine learning approaches for spectral interpretation.

Basic Qualifications:

• BSdegree in chemistry, physics, materials science, or a related discipline with a minimum of five (5) years of experience.
• Proven experience in managing laboratory operations or facilities related to NMR or similar instrumentation.
• Familiarity with the principles of NMR spectroscopy, including both solid-state and solution-state techniques.
• Basic understanding of budget management and resource allocation in a laboratory setting.
• Experience in providing technical support or training to users with varying levels of expertise.

Preferred Qualifications:

• MSor PhD degree in Chemistry, Physics, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
• Extensive experience with high-field NMR spectroscopy, including techniques such as magic-angle spinning (MAS) and multidimensional experiments.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing strategic plans for laboratory upgrades and advancements.
• Demonstrated ability in experimental design, pulse sequence development, and advanced data analysis methodologies.
• Experience with complementary characterization techniques (e.g., neutron scattering, electron microscopy).
• Knowledge of integrating advanced computational methods, including machine learning, for NMR data analysis.
• Experience in grant writing and collaboration on research initiatives, with a strong publication record.
• Active participation in professional organizations and experience representing an institution at conferences and workshops.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Visa Sponsorship:Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements:

• This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain an HSPD-12 PIV badge.
• For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.
• Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
• To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

• If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment.
• Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

If you have difficulty using the online application system or need an accommodation to apply due to a disability, please email:ORNLRecruiting@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.