High Pressure Postdoctoral Research Associate openings at Los Alamos National Lab
Postdoctoral Research Associate – Shock & Detonation Physics
The Static High Pressure Team within the Shock & Detonation Physics Group (M-9) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has immediate openings for potentially multiple Postdoctoral Research Associates. Our work utilizes static high pressure experimental platforms to study the fundamental condensed matter thermodynamics and kinetics of materials at extreme pressures and temperatures. More information about our team can be found on our website: www.lanl.gov/diamonds.
We seek outstanding candidates who are internally motivated and can contribute to our Team’s diamond anvil cell (DAC) experimental programs. Prior experience in high pressure research is not as important as a solid background in experimental physical science, a strong intellectual curiosity, and meticulous laboratory skills. Ongoing DAC projects within our team include: pressure-volume-temperature equations of state; elastic properties of materials using ultrasound; kinetic properties of materials using dynamic DACs; strength and deformation of materials; and laser heating of metals and oxides, up to and including melting. The position(s) will be tailored to the background and interest of the successful candidate(s). Collaborations with other teams at LANL (including, but not limited to, shock experiments within our group) will be possible and encouraged.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Education: A Ph.D. in Physics, Geology, Chemistry, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering or a closely-related field earned within 5 years of the anticipated start date.
- Demonstrated ability to work safely and productively with minimal supervision.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal and written communication skills, and experience interacting with personnel at all levels.
- Ability to explain and present technical information, both verbally and in written form, to an audience with varied technical backgrounds.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a US Department of Energy (DoE) Q Clearance, which typically requires US citizenship.
- Experience with DACs and experiments at synchrotron or other user facilities.
- Experience with dynamic DACs, laser-heated DACs, or radial diffraction in DACs.
- Experience with crystallography of low symmetry materials.
- Experience with common experimental tools: LabVIEW, oscilloscopes, function generators, etc.
- Experience with computer programming for data analysis using e.g. MATLAB or Python.
- Active DoE Q clearance (or the equivalent).
Note to Applicants:
Applicants should submit a CV and a detailed cover letter specifically addressing each of the required qualifications and desired skills below through the LANL HR system (IRC79996) and also email a copy to Blake Sturtevant, Static High Pressure Team Leader (bsturtev@lanl.gov). Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position(s) is filled.
The initial appointment will be for a period of two years and will be renewable for a third year contingent upon progress and funding availability. The successful applicant(s) will be also considered for prestigious Director’s Funded and named Fellowships at LANL (more information about these can be found at: Postdoc Appointment Types).
Work Environment: Significant domestic and foreign travel (~1 week/month on average) is required, since the majority of experiments are conducted at off-site user facilities.
Where You Will Work
M-9, the Shock and Detonation Physics Group, delivers precision data, advanced diagnostics, and high-fidelity models for dynamic properties of energetic and inert materials to Los Alamos National Laboratory and the nation. Among the group’s technical competencies are detonation theory, model development and supporting experimentation; dynamic and shock response of a broad range of materials, including studies at national user facilities; shockwave compression of organic matter and shock-induced chemistry; static high-pressure science; and ultrafast shock and chemical dynamics studies. The Group is currently in the process of a significant upgrade to experimental research capability, the Dynamic Equation of State (DEOS) facility for gas gun colocation.
Explosive Science and Shock Physics (M) Division is responsible for current and evolving explosive science and shock physics efforts. We support National Security through the application of energetic materials and our static and dynamic compression science capability for understanding material response at extreme conditions to address conventional, nuclear, and homeland defense needs.
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid maternity and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
An Equal Opportunity Employer / Operated by Los Alamos National Security, LLC for the U.S. Department of Energy’s NNSA
