Chemical Technologist

at  CANADIAN NUCLEAR LABORATORIES CNL

Our Analytical Chemistry Branch is looking for Chemical Technologists!
The Chemical Technologist will join the Analytical Chemistry Branch of the Hydrogen and Tritium Technologies Directorate. The Analytical Chemistry Branch (ACB) provides a comprehensive range of analytical support for all programs at CNL, including Science & Technology, Waste Management and Decommissioning, Commercial, and Regulatory Compliance. ACB has different teams to perform analyses of diverse matrices by employing various chemical methodologies, separation techniques and a variety of instruments.
ACB staff perform diverse functions, including (a) characterization of groundwater and site effluent samples by ion chromatography (IC), high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography for various environmental parameters, including anions, phenols, ammonia, mercury and solvent extractable organic species, (b) elemental analyses of contaminated groundwater, surface water and radioactive waste matrices by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively-coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), (c) hydrogen/deuterium and helium analyses of irradiated pressure tube reactor artefact specimens by hot vacuum extraction mass spectrometry (HVEMS and fission-gas analysis for fuel post-irradiation examinations, (d) radiochemical separation methods to isolate radionuclides of interest (tritium, carbon-14, strontium-90, cobalt-60, cesium-137, Curium-243/244, americium-241, Pu-238, Pu-239 etc. and quantify them by alpha, beta and gamma spectroscopic techniques, (e) Uranium and plutonium isotopic analyses for fuel burn-up and personnel dosimetry by Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS), (f) certification/recertification of heavy water standards and analysis of virgin and contaminated heavy water by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared (IR) spectroscopy etc. The Branch also work on various commercial projects in partnership with other R&D departments. There is considerable synergy between ACB staff and other CNL Branches and thus the incumbent is expected to have strong teamwork qualities.
What will you be doing!
Performing the day-to-day analysis of samples, assisting in the development/optimization of new methods and assisting in the maintenance of labs and instrumentation.
Performing analysis of samples from diverse matrices including but not limited to both contaminated and non-contaminated waters, ground waters, wastewaters, sediments, soils and metals using an array of analytical instrumentation and various sample preparation and separation methodologies.
Assisting in the development and documentation of analytical methods in conjunction with professional staff.
Assisting professional staff in writing operating procedures and laboratory protocols and train junior/less experienced staff on methods used in the laboratory.
Using common system operating platforms, data handling software and computers to process chemical analysis data using statistical analysis techniques to account for propagated uncertainties.
Receiving and handling radioactive samples from customers according to established laboratory procedures.
Applying standard QA/QC procedures including maintaining appropriate quality records.
Preparing routine progress and technical reports (including standard analysis reports).
Selecting and purchasing lab supplies and maintaining and troubleshooting a variety of instruments required for analyses.
Other duties as assigned by your manager.

Please refer the Job description for details