Postdoctoral Appointee - Radiation Software, Onsite

About the role

We are seeking a Computational Scientist to develop and execute modeling & simulation of electron, X-ray, and gamma-ray radiation transport for Sandia's nuclear deterrence and other missions.

Responsibilities

• Help define environmental specifications for our nuclear deterrence systems and components and predict the reliability of our engineered technologies in various radiation environment scenarios.
• Model the impacts of radiation effects on materials and/or electronics used within these technologies, helping to inform design decisions for adequate component function and resilience.
• Implement new features and algorithms or improve existing functionality while maintaining code quality to advance our radiation transport codes.
• Develop models and perform simulations on world-class high-performance computing systems to predict the transport of radiation and its effects on system and component design and qualification.
• Perform fundamental research and development around radiation physics and effects on materials to provide solutions for next-generation problems.
• Identify new research ideas and directions, collaborating with colleagues to write research proposals.
• Present results at workshops, conferences, and meetings with sponsors and partners.

Requirements

The selected applicant must be able to work onsite. Relocation will be provided for those that qualify.

Qualifications

• PhD in Computational Science, Engineering, Physics, Applied Math, or a related STEM field conferred within 5 years of start date.
• Experience with nuclear engineering, computational modeling, and simulation of radiation transport/effects and/or multi-physics applications.
• Publication of research results in peer reviewed journals.
• Ability to obtain and maintain DOE Q clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with the development, code implementation and/or application/analyses of either Deterministic or Monte Carlo methods.
• Scientific computer programming experience with Modern C++ and/or Python.
• Experience with parallel code development and/or execution on high-performance computing architectures using MPI, OpenMP, Kokkos, and/or GPUs.
• Experience with uncertainty quantification, verification and validation, sensitivity analysis and/or optimization.
• Experience with coupled electron/X-ray particle radiation transport.
• Experience with the development, code implementation and/or application/analyses of Monte Carlo methods.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to team with a diverse group of backgrounds.
• Experience working in a SCRUM team.

About Our Team

The Radiation Software Department (1321) performs theoretical and computational research to understand the effects caused by ionizing radiation from nuclear weapons, space environments and other sources, including those generated by experimental facilities. We develop physical models and numerical methods for deployment in computer codes that model the interaction of particle radiation (X-rays, electrons, neutrons, gammas) with matter. We use these and other types of codes to predict and understand electrical and mechanical radiation effects. Software quality engineering, software verification methods, validation to experimental data, and uncertainty quantification are fundamental to these computational efforts. We support a variety of customers who are concerned with the effect of radiation on their systems and components. The team is committed to attracting, retaining, and encouraging an outstanding workforce representing a broad group of people and perspectives. We share this common vision by encouraging mutual respect among staff, post-docs, and interns. This hardworking team works across Sandia National Laboratories to accomplish outstanding results.

Posting Duration

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

EEO

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements For MedPEDs

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs. If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Position Information

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment. Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.