Postdoctoral Appointee - Shock Physics, Onsite

About the role

We are seeking a POSTDOCTORAL APPOINTEE.

Responsibilities

• Support novel experimental design for shock compression studies of heterogeneous materials, including mechanical mixtures, granular and porous media, and earthen/geological materials.
• Fabricate and characterize target assemblies at SNL-CA.
• Analyze traditional diagnostics (PDV, PVDF, PZT, etc.) and integrate results to computational models.
• Build and execute Linux-based workflows to execute hydrocode calculations.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, adapting to each user facility's procedures, requirements, and constraints.
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities.
• Coordinate and execute experiments at internal and external user facilities.
• Perform data analysis, including radiographic analysis and high-speed imaging interpretation.
• Calibrate material models by correlating experimental observations with computational models.
• Document and present findings to internal and external stakeholders, including scientific conferences and multi-organization meetings.

Requirements

• PhD in Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or closely related discipline.
• Deep understanding of shock compression science and dynamic material response, with experience in areas such as: Experimental shock physics (e.g. gas-gun, explosive, pulsed-power platforms), Computational shock physics (e.g. hydrocodes, FEA, plasticity, etc.).

Qualifications We Require

• Experience designing and executing complex shock-compression experiments to probe at least one of the following behaviors:
• Experience processing and interpreting image diagnostics, such as flash X-ray, proton radiography, high-speed optical/video.
• Highly collaborative work style, with demonstrated ability to coordinate with external facility staff.
• Hands-on fabrication and metrology of shock physics target assemblies (alignment, tolerances).
• Familiarity with advanced diagnostics (VISAR/PDV, DIC, pyrometry, in-situ strain gauges).
• Experience fielding experiments at user facilities under formal work-control and readiness processes.
• Proficiency in developing data-reduction pipelines and quantitative image analysis (uncertainty quantification, segmentation).
• Track record of integrating experimental data with simulations for model validation and parameter calibration.
• Strong publication record and effective scientific communication skills.