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Nuclear Chemist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

General Matter

Chemistry Lead

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

We believe abundant nuclear energy will lead to a post-scarcity society. We were incubated inside ... About This Role As Chemistry Lead at General Matter, you'll build and lead the analytical chemistry ...

General Matter

Chemistry Lead

Los Angeles, CA

We believe abundant nuclear energy will lead to a post-scarcity society. We were incubated inside ... About This Role As Chemistry Lead at General Matter, you'll build and lead the analytical chemistry ...

BWXT

Chemist

Jonesborough, TN

We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers ... This Chemist position serves as a key scientific resource within the Quality Control Chemistry ...

BWX Technologies, Inc.

Chemist

Jonesborough, TN

We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers ... This Chemist position serves as a key scientific resource within the Quality Control Chemistry ...

BWX Technologies

Chemist

Jonesborough, TN · On-site

We are the sole manufacturer of naval nuclear reactors for U.S. submarines and aircraft carriers ... This Chemist position serves as a key scientific resource within the Quality Control Chemistry ...

Battelle

Chemist

Columbus, OH · On-site

Responsibilities The Chemist will support Battelle's Advanced Materials and Energetics team members ... light scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis.

Battelle Memorial Institute

Chemist

Columbus, OH · On-site

Responsibilities The Chemist will support Battelle's Advanced Materials and Energetics team members ... light scattering, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis.

SHINE Technologies LLC

Senior R&D Chemist

Janesville, WI

$75K - $120K/yr

The role of the Senior R&D Chemist plays a critical part in radiochemical process development and ... Lead and execute experiments for isotope production and used nuclear fuel (UNF) recycling, applying ...

SHINE Technologies, LLC

Senior R&D Chemist

Janesville, WI · On-site

$75K - $120K/yr

SHINE Technologies is seeking a Senior R&D Chemist who will lead the design, execution, and ... Lead and execute experiments for isotope production and used nuclear fuel (UNF) recycling, applying ...

SHINE Technologies LLC

Senior R&D Chemist

Janesville, WI · On-site

$75K - $120K/yr

The role of the Senior R&D Chemist plays a critical part in radiochemical process development and ... Lead and execute experiments for isotope production and used nuclear fuel (UNF) recycling, applying ...

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How much do nuclear chemist jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for nuclear chemist in the United States is $30.99, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.04 and $35.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paid chemist job?

The highest paid chemist roles are often in specialized fields such as pharmaceutical chemistry, materials science, or nuclear chemistry, with senior positions like research directors or chief scientists earning six-figure salaries. Nuclear chemists working in government agencies, defense, or private industry with advanced degrees and security clearances tend to have the highest compensation. Salary levels depend on experience, location, and industry sector.

What are some typical challenges faced by Nuclear Chemists in their day-to-day work?

Nuclear Chemists often encounter the challenge of working with hazardous and radioactive materials, requiring strict adherence to safety protocols and meticulous attention to detail. They may also need to troubleshoot complex analytical equipment and ensure the accuracy of sensitive measurements in laboratory environments. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, such as health physicists, engineers, and regulatory personnel, is common to ensure safe and efficient operations. Being able to adapt to the evolving regulations and technological advancements in the nuclear field is also an important aspect of the role.

What does a Nuclear Chemist do?

A Nuclear Chemist studies radioactive materials and nuclear processes, including radiation effects, nuclear reactions, and radioactive decay. They work in various industries, including energy, healthcare, and environmental science, to develop and improve nuclear technologies. Their responsibilities may include handling radioactive substances safely, conducting experiments, analyzing nuclear properties, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Many Nuclear Chemists contribute to medical advancements, such as radiopharmaceuticals for cancer treatment, or work on nuclear power generation and waste management.

Are nuclear chemists in demand?

Nuclear chemists are in steady demand in sectors such as energy, healthcare, and national security, where expertise in radiochemistry and nuclear materials is essential. Employment opportunities often require advanced degrees and knowledge of safety protocols, with job growth driven by ongoing research, regulatory needs, and technological advancements in nuclear science.

Can you make $500,000 as a nuclear engineer?

Nuclear chemists and nuclear engineers typically earn salaries below $500,000 annually, with median wages around $100,000 to $130,000. Achieving a $500,000 salary usually requires senior roles, management positions, or working in specialized industries with high demand and experience. Advanced certifications and extensive experience can help increase earning potential but are less common at entry or mid-level positions.

What jobs can I get with nuclear chemistry?

A nuclear chemist can work in research laboratories, nuclear power plants, healthcare facilities, or government agencies, focusing on areas such as radiochemistry, nuclear safety, or radiation detection. These roles often require knowledge of radiation safety protocols, analytical techniques, and sometimes security clearances or certifications. Career options include nuclear analyst, radiochemist, health physicist, or nuclear materials specialist.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Nuclear Chemist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Nuclear Chemist, you require a strong background in chemistry, physics, and mathematics, usually backed by at least a bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry or a related field. Familiarity with radiochemical analysis tools, laboratory information management systems (LIMS), and safety certifications such as HAZWOPER or radiation safety training is common. Analytical thinking, meticulous attention to detail, and effective teamwork are valuable soft skills in this role. These abilities ensure safe handling of radioactive materials, accurate data interpretation, and compliance with regulatory standards.

More about Nuclear Chemist jobs
What cities are hiring for Nuclear Chemist jobs? Cities with the most Nuclear Chemist job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Nuclear Chemist jobs? The most popular types of Nuclear Chemist jobs are:
What states have the most Nuclear Chemist jobs? States with the most job openings for Nuclear Chemist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Nuclear Chemist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Nuclear Chemist jobs are:
Nuclear Chemist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Nuclear Chemist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 10% Locum Tenens, 1% Internship, 81% Full Time, 3% Part Time, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,466 per year, or $31 per hour.

Chemistry Lead

General Matter

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

About the Company
General Matter enriches uranium.
We are designing, building, and operating the world's lowest-cost enrichment services, here in the US.
In the process, we are restoring America's ability to produce nuclear fuel to power AI, advanced manufacturing and critical industries our country relies on to remain competitive.
Fuel drives the cost of advanced reactor electricity production, and enrichment drives the cost of the fuel that advanced reactors consume. Reliable, low-cost enrichment is the catalyst for the nuclear Renaissance now under way.
Our mission is to make nuclear not only the cleanest and safest source of baseload power, but also the most affordable. We believe abundant nuclear energy will lead to a post-scarcity society.
We were incubated inside Founders Fund, like Anduril and Palantir before us, and are backed by over a dozen of the world's top venture capital firms.
Our lean, world-class team of engineers and operators is applying a first-principles approach to solving the problem of nuclear fuel production.
We are a mission-driven company with a culture of urgency, accountability, and transparency.
Help us build a high-energy society by making the cleanest, safest form of baseload energy the most affordable.
About This Role
As Chemistry Lead at General Matter, you'll build and lead the analytical chemistry capabilities that enable our advanced uranium enrichment operations from the ground up. You'll establish laboratory methods, quality systems, and team processes that directly support production operations, NRC compliance, and nuclear material accountability. This is a rare opportunity to shape chemistry operations at a next-generation nuclear facility during rapid commercial scale-up, where your technical decisions immediately impact our ability to strengthen domestic nuclear fuel supply.
Responsibilities
  • Oversee materials testing activities to support project and operational needs
  • Develop, validate, and implement analytical methods for material characterization and quality control; establish SOPs for testing protocols, sample handling, data documentation, and reporting standards.
  • Ensure laboratory compliance with quality assurance requirements, safety protocols, and regulatory expectations; implement quality control procedures including method validation, measurement uncertainty analysis, and audit readiness.
  • Manage laboratory operations including equipment maintenance, calibration, inventory management, sample queue prioritization, and vendor coordination.
  • Provide technical expertise to engineering, operations, and program management; interpret analytical data, conduct failure analysis, troubleshoot process chemistry issues, and deliver timely results.
  • Partner with licensing and regulatory affairs teams to support NRC Part 70 compliance; provide analytical data, method descriptions, and technical interface for regulatory submissions and inspections.
  • Support nuclear material control and accountability (MC&A) interfaces, including analytical methods for material accountancy, measurement control programs, and investigation of analytical anomalies.
  • Develop capability roadmaps for analytical chemistry; assess equipment and personnel needs, manage external laboratory relationships, and scale operations to support company growth.
  • Establish performance metrics, manage documentation systems, prepare technical reports for stakeholders, and support management reviews and audits.

Basic Qualifications
  • Ph.D. in analytical, inorganic, physical, radio-, or nuclear chemistry; OR M.S. with 5+ years experience; OR B.S. with 8+ years experience.
  • 5+ years hands-on analytical chemistry experience, with 2+ years in supervisory or laboratory management role.
  • Demonstrated expertise in multiple analytical techniques: spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman, NMR, UV-Vis), chromatography (GC, HPLC, IC), thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), mass spectrometry, XRD, or elemental analysis.
  • Experience developing analytical methods, writing SOPs, implementing quality control programs, and maintaining laboratory compliance in regulated environments.
  • Strong knowledge of laboratory instrumentation operation, maintenance, troubleshooting, and calibration.
  • Proven ability to interpret complex data, solve technical problems, and communicate results clearly to diverse audiences.
  • Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced R&D or production environments.
  • Commitment to laboratory safety culture and experience with chemical hygiene plans, hazardous material handling, and emergency response procedures.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain required security clearance and access authorization.

Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Prior experience as chemistry team lead, analytical chemistry manager, or laboratory supervisor at a nuclear facility, national laboratory, DOE/NNSA site, or NRC-licensed facility.
  • Experience with uranium chemistry, actinide chemistry, nuclear materials, radiochemistry, or nuclear fuel cycle operations.
  • Familiarity with NRC requirements (10 CFR Part 70, Part 26), DOE quality standards (10 CFR 830, DOE O 414.1D), or nuclear industry frameworks (ASME NQA-1, ISO 17025).
  • Experience building analytical chemistry capabilities for new facilities, startups, or rapidly scaling technical organizations.
  • Background in process chemistry, materials science, corrosion chemistry, or failure analysis supporting manufacturing operations.
  • Experience with LIMS, electronic laboratory notebooks, or data management tools.
  • Knowledge of statistical analysis, design of experiments, measurement systems analysis, or uncertainty quantification.
  • Experience supporting MC&A programs, laboratory audits, regulatory inspections, or corrective action programs.
  • Excellent technical writing skills and ability to convert analytical data and regulatory requirements into clear, regulator-ready documentation.

Additional Requirements
  • Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer
General Matter is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with General Matter is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Compensation and Benefits
The base salary range for this role is $160,000-$200,000 annually.
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. Please note that the stated salary range is an estimate and may be adjusted based on market conditions, business needs, or other factors. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.

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