Physical Metallurgy/Materials Postdoctoral Research Associate

What You Will Do

The Welding and Joining and Materials Compatibility teams are seeking a post-doctoral candidate to work on a range of projects focusing on alloy design and processing for advanced steels.

The technical scope will include measurement and analysis of structure-processing relationships relating to a variety of manufacturing processes, including casting, welding, forming, and heat

treatment. The work will require a strong physical metallurgy background including laboratory techniques such as dilatometry, mechanical testing, microscopy, and diffraction. The postdoctoral

researcher will be expected to help guide the overall technical direction of the project alongside their mentor. Candidates should be capable of conducting independent research in small teams

and be comfortable communicating their findings in a technical setting. The position will also require working with potentially toxic and radioactive materials.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:
  • A strong background in one or more of the following technical areas: phase transformations in metallic systems, mechanical testing and analysis,
  • metals processing techniques including heat treatment, forging, casting, and welding.
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, as demonstrated by experience presenting research results at technical conferences and
  • authoring peer-reviewed journal articles.
  • Experience contributing to a team environment, and the ability to interact effectively with technical and operations personnel.
  • Ability and willingness to follow safety and security procedures.
  • Ability to obtain a Q-clearance, which typically requires U.S. Citizenship.

Education/Experience: This position requires a Ph.D. in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. The candidate must

be within five years of completion of the Ph.D. at the time of being proposed for review by the committee or must have satisfied all Ph.D. requirements

by the commencement of the appointment.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Demonstrated ability to plan and organize research projects to meet project schedules and deliverables.
  • Proficiency with one or more engineering modeling software tools such as Abaqus, Ansys, COMSOL, or ThermoCalc.
  • Proficiency in data analysis using tools such as Python or MATLAB.
  • Experience writing research proposals for experimental facilities or in response to project funding calls.

Experience designing, installing, and maintaining laboratory equipment.
Location: This position will be physically located in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

Salary: Competitive salaries are based on the date the PhD degree requirements were completed or the degree was awarded. Starting salary for

a new graduate is currently $94,500. For more information go to Postdoc Program website at https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php

Note to Applicants:

When submitting your application electronically to this vacancy, please submit at a minimum 1) a cover letter and 2) a resume that contains at the

following information: education, major, GPA, relevant work experience, and relevant technical skills.

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 (paid sick, vacation, 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.

Q Clearance: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter.

This position requires a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon position, additional authorization to

access nuclear weapons information may be required that may or may not be available to dual citizens depending upon the circumstances.

*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.

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.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are

based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, 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 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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.

Instructions on How to Activate/Create a LANL Jobs Account:

Follow the instructions below if you have ever had an employee Z number, been a contractor, or received Los Alamos Lab insurance coverage to activate your account:

• Select the Click Here button if you have been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage.

• Please enter only your first and last name and current email address (an email with your validation code will be sent to you) to activate the account currently in our system.

• Enter your validation code as described in the email you receive and complete the 3-page registration form. Your account is now active, and you can

apply for jobs or save to your basket. Important: Enter the validation code within 15 days to activate your account or your account will be deactivated

Follow the instructions below if you if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to create an account:

• Select the Register button if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to Create an Account.

• From here, you will establish an account with username and password

How to Apply: How to Apply: Login to Your Account to Complete the Application Process

Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view any job's details.

• Click Apply or Add to Basket to apply later. Tip: To apply for a job or save your basket, you must have a LANL jobs account.

If you experience any technical issues, please email applyhelp@lanl.gov for assistance.