Molten Salt Pyroprocessing and Electrodeposition Postdoc
- Req. Number: IRC141194
- Organization : C-IIAC/Inorganic Isotope & Actinide Chem
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
We are seeking outstanding candidates for a postdoctoral research position focused on molten salt pyroprocessing - a key technology enabling advanced materials development and nuclear fuel cycle innovation. The successful candidate will conduct experimental and analytical research to advance our understanding and application of molten salt systems for electrochemical separations, processing, and protective coating development. This position involves hands-on laboratory work exploring molten salt chemistry, electrodeposition, and pyrochemical processing of materials relevant to nuclear reactor fuels, refractory metals, and protective coatings. The selected candidate will help develop new methods and materials for high-temperature electrochemical operations and contribute to the design and optimization of scalable pyroprocessing systems. The successful candidate will be joining an experienced team of chemists and materials scientists within LANL's Chemistry Division.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Education/Experience:
PhD in materials science, metallurgy, chemistry or related field completed within the past five years or soon to be completed. Must be completed before hiring.
Desired Qualifications:
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
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 childbirth and parental leave
§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs
§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.
We are seeking outstanding candidates for a postdoctoral research position focused on molten salt pyroprocessing - a key technology enabling advanced materials development and nuclear fuel cycle innovation. The successful candidate will conduct experimental and analytical research to advance our understanding and application of molten salt systems for electrochemical separations, processing, and protective coating development. This position involves hands-on laboratory work exploring molten salt chemistry, electrodeposition, and pyrochemical processing of materials relevant to nuclear reactor fuels, refractory metals, and protective coatings. The selected candidate will help develop new methods and materials for high-temperature electrochemical operations and contribute to the design and optimization of scalable pyroprocessing systems. The successful candidate will be joining an experienced team of chemists and materials scientists within LANL's Chemistry Division.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Sound academic training in alkali or alkaline earth chloride or fluoride molten salt chemistry and electrochemistry
- Hands-on experience with molten salts in a laboratory setting; experience with potentiometry, amperometry, and materials characterization techniques (ex: scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, profilometry, etc.)
- Experience in glovebox operations and inert environments
- Experience with high temperature furnace operations
- Willingness to work with radioactive materials (e.g., thorium, uranium, plutonium)
- Demonstrated ability to carry out independent and collaborative research
- Strong technical and interpersonal communication and language skills both orally and in writing, as evidenced by peer-reviewed research papers or conference presentations
- Creative and proactive approach to scientific problem solving
- Proven ability to meet research deliverables and deadlines
- Proven ability to work in a multidisciplinary research team
Education/Experience:
PhD in materials science, metallurgy, chemistry or related field completed within the past five years or soon to be completed. Must be completed before hiring.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with molten salt systems and pyroprocessing techniques
- Experience with molten salt electrodeposition methods and techniques (e.g., electrodeposition, metalliding, or surface modification)
- Experience with other coating techniques (e.g., CVD, PVD, or aqueous electrodeposition), methodology, and characterization (e.g., adhesion, porosity, thickness)
- Experience in one or more additional discipline(s): analytical chemistry, materials science, spectroscopy, microscopy.
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
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 childbirth and parental leave
§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs
§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.
*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.
426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.
