Postdoctoral Appointee - Z Pulsed Power Research

About the role

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. The Pulsed Power Science and Technology group is seeking postdoctoral researchers with expertise in pulsed power, experimental physics, and electrical engineering to support cutting-edge research on pulsed power systems and components. The successful candidate will contribute to one or more projects focused on understanding high voltage breakdown in water and gasses, improving vacuum insulator performance, developing compact laser-triggered gas switches, and designing and evaluating advanced, higher reliability spark gap switches for Marx generators. Your research will involve designing, conducting, and analyzing experiments to probe physical phenomena underlying pulsed power component operation and failure modes, along with implementing practical solutions that apply this research to advanced pulsed power systems. You will collaborate closely with internal teams and external partners, including universities and industry, to push the boundaries of pulsed power technology. Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments related to electrical breakdown and switch performance.
• Develop new electrical and optical diagnostics or improvements of existing diagnostic systems and analyze collected data to understand underlying physical mechanisms.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to increase experimental capability of pulsed power facilities.
• Employ the scientific method to develop, test, and refine hypotheses; perform critical review; or apply similar engineering research and development methods.
• Publish your findings and interact with the academic community.

Qualifications

Required:

• PhD in electrical engineering, physics, or related STEM field conferred within 5 years of start date.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance (U.S. citizenship required).

Desired:

• Outstanding verbal and written skills, demonstrated through presentation at technical conferences and publications in refereed journals.
• Experience with design, operation, and maintenance of pulsed power experimental apparatuses.
• Experience with design and data analysis of diagnostics used in pulsed power, high voltage, and/or high energy density plasma experiments.
• Proficiency in a variety of computational tools and programs, including data analysis in MATLAB, Python, or similar; circuit simulations using PSpice, LTSpice, or similar; and electromagnetic field simulations using Ansys, Comsol, CST, or similar.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate well in a multidisciplinary team of designers and test engineers.

Benefits

• 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.
• Benefits vary by job classification.

Schedule

Flexible scheduling options are available, including 9/80 and 4/10 compressed workweeks, part-time schedules, and telecommuting arrangements. Onsite work is required for this position.