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Why do people choose Brookhaven as an employer? Most say that it’s the casual work environment in an academic setting. Many note the sports leagues and on-site recreational facilities like the pool and gym. Some point out the advantages of on-site childcare. Employment at Brookhaven Lab comes with many quality-of-life benefits.
Brains and brawn can co-exist. Just ask BNL physicists Travis Shrey, Gene Van Buren, Jeff Mitchell, and physical chemist Art Sedlacek, who, in addition to their scientific skills, are known for their moves on the volleyball court.
Kahille Dorsinvil, an educator in BNL’s Office of Educational Programs, thinks science is “cool,” and conveys that idea through teaching – with the aid of hands-on projects and exhibits – to elementary school children at the Science Learning Center.
Manuel Miranda joined Brookhaven Lab as an assistant scientist in 2009. After settling in to his new responsibilities, he's very happy with his decision to join a team of “high-caliber colleagues” in the Energy Sciences & Technology Department.
When Lynne Ecker came to Brookhaven Lab in November 2004 as an associate scientist in the Energy Sciences & Technology Department, she immediately joined Brookhaven Women in Science.
Kim Hayes, a radiological control technician at the National Synchrotron Light Source, spends much of her workday checking the radiological materials that come in to the NSLS, conducting radiological surveys on the beam lines, and issuing dosimetry badges.
Cosmologist Erin Sheldon was the first hire for the BNL group that will ultimately interpret data from the proposed Large Synoptic Survey Telescope.
If you ask Jade or Courtney Patterson why they decided to work at Brookhaven National Laboratory, they would eagerly tell you that the Lab “has a family feel and the benefits are amazing.”
The Pattersons met in Vienna in 2002 while taking a German language class. At that time, Courtney was working for the International Atomic Energy Agency on behalf of the Lab. Jade was working for the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and living in Vienna with her family. Courtney came back to New York in 2004 and they were married in 2005. After four years of a long-distance relationship, Jade joined Courtney in New York in 2008.
In 2001, while Courtney was a student at the State University of New York at Old Westbury, he came to work at the Lab as an intern through the Lab’s Educational Program Office. In 2004, he became a full-time employee and is currently matrixed from the Information Technology Division to the Quality Management Office. Jade joined the Lab in the Guest, User, Visitor Center in 2009.
“I like it that as employees we get to hear about the Lab’s discoveries first-hand before seeing the announcements on TV,” said Jade. “Accepting a job at the Lab is one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I thoroughly enjoy telling everyone that I work at a place that has seven Nobel prizes and counting.”
Nicole Jenkins joined the BNL Police Group in October 2007. Asked why she decided to take a job at Brookhaven Lab, Jenkins said she had heard from friends and relatives who work at the Lab that BNL is one of the best employers on Long Island with a top-notch police force.
"I knew I had something to offer the Lab's police force - my enthusiasm and my sense of responsibility," she said. Jenkins, who said she has worked hard to excel at her training, is impressed by the Lab's training requirements, which she feels will help her to become one of those top-notch officers.
"I have already learned so much, and I already love this job," she said.
Marcelo Ferreira, originally from Brazil, came to Brookhaven in 2007 to work on the vacuum system of the National Synchrotron Light Source II.
Ferreira already feels part of the Brookhaven community. Even before he took the job here, he jumped into the Lab's 60th anniversary photo. "Here for three days on an interview, I was in the Cavendish dorm for lunch when I saw everyone gathering on the lawn. I just walked across the street and joined some of the people on the project. It was fun!"
One big change for Ferreira is the winter cold. A recent cold spell, embellished with lots of the white stuff, drew the Ferreira family out of their on-site apartment to build a snowman. "I lost my summer in Brazil," said Ferreira, referring to opposite seasons below the Equator. But he's looking forward to summer on Long Island, with visits to the East End wineries and sailing.