Postdoctoral Appointee - Classical Atomistic Modeling, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas.

About the role

Are you passionate about using computational methods to design new materials and uncover how atomic-scale structure governs materials performance? Our team seeks a motivated postdoctoral researcher with expertise in atomistic materials modeling emphasizing classical molecular dynamics.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Plan, conduct, and analyze computer simulations of materials behavior at the atomistic scale to identify mechanisms and trends, deduce materials structure, properties, and parameters.
• Develop and maintain simulation workflows and data-analysis tools to build creative solutions to materials science challenges.
• Integrate materials knowledge to formulate research hypotheses, propose and carry out research.
• Work in collaborative team environments on multidisciplinary, technically challenging projects as part of a dynamic research organization.
• Communicate accomplishments in presentations at international conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals and engage with program managers to convey impact and research direction.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected candidate will need to work onsite.

Requirements

• PhD in materials science, physics, chemistry, mechanical engineering, or closely related field.
• The ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance.

Qualifications

We desire the following qualifications:

• Demonstrated expertise with large-scale, classical atomistic simulations (i.e., molecular dynamics) applied to engineering-relevant materials problems.
• Experience simulating a broad range of materials systems (e.g., structural metals and alloys, polymers and composites, semiconductors, oxides/ceramics, 2D materials) and interface-dominated phenomena (e.g., grain boundaries, surfaces, phase boundaries).
• Proficiency with higher- or lower-length scale simulation techniques (e.g., DFT, kinetic Monte Carlo, dislocation dynamics, finite element) and one or more programming languages (e.g., Python, C++).
• Experience applying machine learning or artificial intelligence to advance simulation methods, enable high-throughput workflows, or discover structure-property-performance relationships.
• Track record of collaborating with experimentalists and computational researchers to advance materials for engineering applications.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills evidenced by a history of publishing original research in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at professional conferences.
• Demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships and develop creative solutions in team environments.

About Our Team

The Computational Materials Science Department applies materials modeling on multiple length scales to accelerate engineering solutions and drive materials discovery and design for Sandia’s missions. Our expertise spans a diversity of materials (including metals, polymers, ceramics, composites, ferroelectrics, and metal-organic frameworks) and a breadth of computational methods from density functional theory and molecular dynamics to mesoscale and microstructure-informed continuum simulations.

Benefits

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide.
• Extraordinary co-workers.
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world.
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities.
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home).
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance.

*These benefits vary by job classification.

Security Clearance

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.