Company Profile
Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL)
Company Overview
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is one of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) ten national laboratories, managed by DOE's Office of Science. PNNL also performs research for other DOE offices as well as government agencies, universities, and industry to deliver breakthrough science and technology to meet today's key national needs.
Our Laboratory
- provides the facilities, unique scientific equipment, and world-renowned scientists/engineers to strengthen U.S. scientific foundations for fundamental research and innovation
- prevents and counters acts of terrorism through applied research in information analysis, cyber security, and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction
- increases U.S. energy capacity and reduces dependence on imported oil through research of hydrogen and biomass-based fuels
- reduces the effects of energy generation and use on the environment.
Company History
Battelle has operated PNNL for DOE and its predecessors since 1965. A unique feature of Battelle's contract with DOE allows our staff to work for private industry.
Notable Clients
U.S. Department of Energy; multiple universities
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
- 1969 Pacific Northwest Laboratory was the only Northwest organization chosen by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, to analyze lunar material collected from the entire Apollo program.
- 1972 void metal composite, a unique porous material developed by Pacific Northwest Laboratory researchers, won a prestigious R&D 100 award. The composite permits the formation of a "living union" between bone tissue and prosthetic devices.
- 1980 Immediately after Mount St. Helens erupted, Pacific Northwest Laboratory researchers began collecting and analyzing samples of ash to determine potential environmental and health impacts.
- 1986 The Laboratory's DC-3 aircraft collected air samples of the fallout from the Chernobyl nuclear accident.
The Molecular Science Research Center was established and opened in interim facilities.
- 1987 An eight-year effort was completed to assess the environmental impacts of alternative methods for the disposal of defense wastes at the Hanford Site, resulting in a record of decision on the Hanford Defense Waste Environmental Impact Statement.
- 1993 Director Bill Wiley, national laboratory officials, President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore signed a historic agreement between the Big Three automakers and the federal government. The effort is aimed at producing a cleaner, more efficient automobile. Pacific Northwest Laboratory took the lead for developing the superplastic-forming technology to meet new mileage emissions and recycling goals.
- 1997 The Material Identification System and the Ultrasonic Pulse Echo instrument, technologies developed at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, were provided to customs inspectors in Eastern Europe and former Soviet Union republics to reduce smuggling and terrorism.
- 1999 Researchers begin developing a combined optical and magnetic resonance microscope that allows scientists to study live cells.
- 2003 Two PNNL environmental technologies, a remote sensing application for monitoring rangeland and a sensor to help design more fish-friendly hydroelectric dams, received Business Achievement Awards from the Environmental Business Journal.
- 2004 Portable Acoustic Inspection Devices, which examine and inspect containers non-invasively, are developed for use by import/export controllers and U.S. enforcement communities involved in drug interdiction and counterterrorism.
Radiation portal monitors are used at ports of entry around the country to scan for and detect the presence of nuclear and radiological materials.
- 2005 PNNL is awarded our 67th R&D 100 award for the Morning Report: Advanced Proactive Safety and System Monitoring Tool, used to analyze large datasets collected by onboard aircraft instruments.
http://www.pnl.gov/about/awards_achieve.asp
Benefits
As an Employer of Choice we offer you*:
- Market competitive, pay-for-performance compensation program
- A multi-faceted Rewards and Recognition program, based on individual and team performance
- Comprehensive life insurance, healthcare, vision, and dental coverage for all employees and their dependents
- Beginning two weeks of paid vacation per year, with the opportunity to accrue up to a maximum of five weeks
- Ten holidays per calendar year, including two personal floating holidays
- Personal sick time for care of immediate family, including domestic partners
- Business casual dress and flexible work hours, including consideration for alternate work schedules
- A 401(k) plan, which allows employees to save a portion of their annual salary on a pre-tax basis
- An employee pension plan
- A flexible reimbursement plan, which allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars for qualified health and dependent care expenses
- Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which offers free, confidential, professional counseling services and information referral to employees and their immediate families, including domestic partners/significant others
- A variety of paid and unpaid time off and leave of absence opportunities for all qualified employees, including medical and family care leave, short and long-term disability leave, personal leave, bereavement leave, military leave, and educational leave
- Tuition assistance for career-related courses
*Some of these benefits may not apply to Hourly employees or Student Educational Interns.