Postdoctoral Appointee - Plasma, Physics & Radiation Transport, Radiation Effects Experimentation and Analysis, 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

We seek a motivated Postdoctoral Appointee to conduct innovative research on electromagnetic and plasma responses to radiation. In this position, your work will range from theory to experimentation in partnership with an experienced team.

The theoretical analysis involves partnering with teams to run large parallel codes or developing reduced dimensionality models to predict, to isolate in experiment a wide variety of physics processes that impact electromagnetic/plasma responses to ionizing radiation. The experimental element of the work involves conceptualizing, designing, executing, and analyzing experiments at globally unique radiation producing facilities including but not limited to Sandia's Saturn Accelerator and Z-machine as well as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory's National Ignition Facility (NIF).

You will work in a collaborative environment with a complementary team and have access to some of the world's most powerful facilities, tools, and expertise to evaluate electrical consequences of exposure to high-energy density radiation environments.

Responsibilities

• Perform experiments or simulations to investigate effects of x-rays on gases and solids.
• Team with other specialists, including those performing radiation experiments at world-leading radiation facilities, designing experiments, and analyzing results.
• Document findings in internal reports and, as appropriate, publish results as articles in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Clearly communicate new insights or observations to internal and external stakeholders, customers, and our collaborators.

Some travel will be required for activities such as performing experiments and attending project meetings and conferences. Due to the nature of the work, the selected candidate must be able to work onsite.

Requirements

• PhD degree in Physics, Engineering, Material Sciences, or a closely related field.
• Knowledge of electromagnetics, plasma physics, or radiation transport as demonstrated by your graduate curriculum.
• A strong track record of scientific and/or technical achievements through publication, as evidenced by peer-reviewed journals and external presentations at appropriate scientific conferences.
• Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q clearance.

Qualifications

• Strong analytical skills and experience comparing measurement with physical theories using Python or a similar scripting language.
• Knowledge of radiation material interactions, particularly x-rays.
• Experience with laboratory measurement in plasma physics or electromagnetics, leading to publication.
• Experience with radiation testing devices or materials.
• Experience modeling radiation effects in materials using simulation tools.
• Experience working with interdisciplinary teams.

Benefits

• Challenging work with impact contributing to security, peace, and freedom worldwide.
• Extraordinary co-workers and 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.

About Our Team

The Radiation Effects Experimentation and Analysis Department is committed to ensuring the operational capability of the nation's nuclear stockpile in radiation and electromagnetic environments. Our work spans a diverse range of activities, from fundamental radiation effects research to the qualification of electronic components, subsystems, and systems against both natural and man-made radiation environments, including those produced by nuclear detonations.

We accomplish our mission by conducting both basic and applied radiation effects research on materials, electronics, and surrogate test objects. This includes rigorous testing and evaluation using advanced photon, ion, neutron, electron, and laser sources located at Sandia National Laboratories and other facilities across the United States. In addition to experimental work, we develop critical radiation, electrical, and plasma diagnostics to accurately characterize our test environments. We also perform simulations to analyze how electronics and other test objects respond to radiation.

A key focus of our department is the design, measurement, analysis, and simulation of response data from surrogate test articles. This work is crucial for validating Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) computer codes, which are utilized to qualify weapon and satellite electronic systems against various pulsed radiation environments and effects. Additionally, our personnel provide expert guidance to electronic designers, ensuring the implementation of effective design techniques to mitigate the harmful effects of radiation. We also conduct qualification assessments of nuclear weapon hardware for each of Sandia's production groups, reinforcing our commitment to maintaining the integrity and reliability of the nation's nuclear capabilities.

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance. Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base.