The U.S. Department of Energy’s Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is a multidiscipline research and development center, where accomplished scientists and engineers solve the Nation’s most challenging environmental and security problems.

With a staff of more than 1,100 dedicated and safety-focused professionals, SRNL protects the nation by applying science to global security, the environment and the energy economy. The laboratory uses its unique scientific and engineering expertise to develop and deploy practical solutions with high returns on investment for the Nation. SRNL innovations include advances in energy storage technology, materials science, and nuclear non-proliferation. The laboratory also provides field-proven expertise for environmental cleanup and managing the Nation’s nuclear materials.

SRNL conducts research in specialized laboratories for the safe study and handling of radioactive materials, laboratories for ultra-sensitive measurement and analysis of radioactive materials, internationally accredited analytical laboratories, and the only radiological crime investigation laboratory in the U.S.

Working with an established network of industry, academic, and public partners, SRNL has advanced scientific discovery and commercial innovation. SRNL also fuels the Nation’s economy by licensing its patented technologies to private companies for commercialization.

Whether it is optimizing chemical processes to safely dispose of legacy nuclear waste, collaborating with partners on grid security or using its expertise in nuclear materials science to make the world safer, SRNL works every day to secure the nation’s future.

Industry: Research Services
Company Size: 1,001-5,000 employees

Savannah River National Laboratory

Savvy Admin PROD

**Job Description**

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is seeking a midcareer scientist with strong expertise in subsurface reactive fate and transport modeling to support research and mission-driven applications focused on environmental remediation, groundwater protection, and long-term stewardship at the Savannah River Site (SRS) and other DOE-managed lands.

The successful candidate will develop, apply, and communicate advanced numerical models to predict the coupled hydrologic, geochemical, and biological processes governing contaminant behavior in complex subsurface environments. This role supports SRNL’s mission to deliver credible science-based solutions that ensure the protection of human health and the environment.

The position involves technical leadership, collaboration across multidisciplinary teams, mentoring of early-career staff, and direct interaction with DOE customers and regulatory stakeholders.

**Responsibilities**

**Technical Modeling & Analysis**

- Develop and apply reactive transport models (e.g., PFLOTRAN, TOUGHREACT, CrunchFlow/CrunchTope, PHREEQC, HYDRUS, COMSOL, FEFLOW) to evaluate contaminant fate, plume evolution, and remedial strategy performance.

- Integrate aqueous geochemistry, sorption/kinetics, mineral reactions, and redox transformations into model frameworks.

- Conduct model calibration, validation, sensitivity analysis, and uncertainty quantification using tools such as PEST/PEST++, DAKOTA, or Bayesian methods.

- Develop and refine conceptual site models using hydrogeologic, geochemical, mineralogical, and field performance data.

**Data Integration & Interpretation**

- Assimilate field monitoring, laboratory testing, geospatial data, and historical site knowledge into modeling workflows.

- Generate reduced-order models, computational surrogates, or decision-support tools to inform risk assessments and remediation planning.

- Produce high-quality visualizations, technical interpretations, and defensible documentation suitable for DOE and regulatory review.

**Program and Project Support**

- Serve as a technical lead or task manager for modeling efforts within multi-institutional or multi-disciplinary projects.

- Contribute to proposal development, R&D planning, and engagement with DOE program managers, site operations personnel, and regulators.

- Ensure all deliverables meet SRNL’s standards for quality, safety, and regulatory compliance.

**Collaboration & Mentorship**

- Mentor junior scientists, modelers, and interns on modeling techniques, scientific writing, and workflow reproducibility.

- Work closely with SRNL hydrologists, geochemists, microbial scientists, field engineers, and data scientists to design studies and integrate models with experimental work.

**Competencies**

- Strong technical judgment and ability to design rigorous, defensible modeling studies.

- Effective communicator, able to translate complex technical outputs into clear, actionable insights.

- Demonstrated ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and build strong collaborations across SRNL, SRS operations, and partner organizations.

- Commitment to safety, quality, and scientific integrity.

**Qualifications**

**Minimum Qualifications:**

- Ph.D. in Hydrogeology, Geosciences, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field with 6-8+ years of relevant experience; or M.S. with 8-10 years of relevant experience.

- Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance; U.S. citizenship is legally required.

- Demonstrated experience developing and calibrating reactive fate and transport models for groundwater or vadose-zone systems.

- Strong foundation in aqueous geochemistry and subsurface flow and transport processes.

- Proficiency in Python (preferred), MATLAB, or R for model pre- and post-processing.

- Experience preparing technical reports and communicating results to technical and non-technical audiences.

**Preferred Qualifications**

- Experience with HPC environments, parallel computing, containers, or cloud-ready workflows.

- Background in geostatistics, stochastic modeling, or Bayesian methods.

- Experience with contaminants relevant to DOE legacy sites (e.g., uranium, technetium, strontium, cesium, nitrate, chlorinated solvents, PFAS).

- Familiarity with DOE Orders, CERCLA, and other environmental regulatory frameworks.

- Experience with reduced-order modeling, machine learning integration, or physics-informed ML methods.

- Experience supporting or leading DOE-funded R&D programs.

- Knowledge of GIS tools (ArcGIS/QGIS), geospatial analysis, and database management.

**Work Environment & Additional Requirements**

- Position is based at SRNL within the Savannah River Site; hybrid work arrangements may be considered.

- Occasional travel to project sites, conferences, or sponsor meetings (up to 10–15%).

**About Us**

"We put science to work!"

Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) is a multi-program laboratory applying state of the art science and practical, high-value, cost-effective solutions to complex technical problems to protect the nation. Located at the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Savannah River Site (SRS) in Aiken SC, the laboratory develops and deploys innovative technologies to address some of the nation’s environmental, energy, and national security challenges.

Battelle Savannah River Alliance (BSRA) is constantly assessing trends to provide the best possible benefits to our workforce. We also negotiate cost effective premiums that will meet the needs of our evolving workforce.

Some of the *Benefits offered to employees include:

- Benefits vary based upon employment status

- Highly competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision options including HSA options with company provided seed

- Short- & Long-Term Disability (company paid)

- Life Insurance Non-Contributary 1X salary (company paid)

- AD&D Non-contributary 1x salary (company paid)

- Savings & Investment plan:

-

- Qualified Non-Elective Company Contribution of 5% each pay period with immediate vesting

- Company match 50 cents/dollar up to 8% (5 yrs. vesting in company match)

- Contributory Life Insurance up to 5x Salary with $1M Cap

- Contributory AD&D (employee, spouse and children)

- Paid Time Off

- Employee Assistance Plan

- SRNL offers a competitive relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions.

For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the ~~“About” ~~ tab at www.srnl.doe.gov .

BSRA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status. BSRA is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. Please email us at SRNLRecruiting@srnl.doe.gov with any questions regarding the hiring process or to request an accommodation.

**About The Team**

SRNL’s Environmental & Legacy Management (ELM) Directorate closely collaborates with the Department of Energy (DOE) and site contractors to develop, mature, and apply science and technology needed to resolve environmental challenges and advance legacy management missions. As the lead laboratory for Environmental Management (DOE-EM) and Legacy Management (DOE-LM), SRNL applies our talent and expertise to develop and deploy innovative approaches and technologies to reduce risk, cost, and schedule of environmental cleanup and nuclear material processing. Additionally, ELM is using our competencies to develop new materials and processes for a range of clean energy applications.

Subsurface Reactive Fate & Transport Modeling Scientist

Find Technical Lead jobs in Aiken, SC with Savvy's AI Recruiter. Browse opportunities from top companies and get matched with roles that match your skills using our intelligent recruitment system.