Post-Masters (Aerosol Science) Student

What You Will Do

The Post-Masters Student will work in the Aerosol Engineering Facility within the Radiation Protection Services (RP-SVS) group at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). This position supports aerosol science experiments crucial to understanding respirable releases from nuclear material storage containers. The work directly supports LANL's mission of ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile and advancing technologies that reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction.

The selected students will participate in two funded projects in collaboration with the Operational Safety and Compliance Programs (PSS-2) and Auxiliary Systems (PFE-AUX) groups.

• The PSS-2 project involves drop testing of (clean) nuclear material storage container systems to study physical parameters associated with container lifetime extension.
• The PFE-AUX project involves drop testing and rapid over-pressurization (up to 30 PSIG) experiments to measure respirable aerosol source terms.

These experiments will be performed in the Respirable Release Fraction Measurement Chamber (RRFMC), a facility qualified under NQA-1-2008/1a-2009 Subpart 4.2 for R&D work (Moore et al., 2021, LA-UR-21-31763). The over-pressurization system is located within the RRFMC's safety pressure boundary and approved by the LANL Pressure Safety Committee (Moore and Davis, 2021, LA-UR-21-21409).

Project/work plan description: Participate in design, setup, and execution of aerosol generation, measurement, and containment experiments; data acquisition; and analysis of particle size distributions and aerodynamic behavior.

Expected duration of internship: 12 months (with potential extension based on performance and funding)
Application deadline for best consideration: Open until filled; early applications encouraged.
What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Knowledge:

• Foundational understanding of aerosol science and experimental fluid mechanics (e.g., aerodynamic equivalent diameter, standard vs. ambient air flowrate conversions).
• Familiarity with laboratory safety and experimental control procedures.
• Knowledge of data collection, analysis, and interpretation methods for aerosol and flow measurements.

Skills:

• Experience with test and measurement systems for aerosol characterization.
• Ability to solve technical problems and effectively document and communicate results.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Record-keeping requirements include use of hand-written logbooks, emails, spreadsheets, text documents and photography.

Abilities:

• Work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently and meet deadlines.
• Work with pressurized air systems up to 100 PSIG (training provided).
• Assist with the disposition of chemical waste under existing methods (training provided).
• Facility dress code includes long pants, safety shoes and safety glasses for all work tasks. A hard hat is required for operations inside the drop tower.
• Radioactive sources are not used in regular operations, but radiation worker training is required for visits to relevant locations (training provided).
• Work with electrical systems in a non-energized mode (training provided).
• Perform physical work involving lifting up to 40 pounds, squatting, kneeling, twisting, and using ladders or scaffolds (training provided).

Training/Certifications:
LANL safety, ladder, scaffold, pressure, chemical waste, radiation worker and electrical (provided upon hire).

Education/Experience

• Must have earned a Master's degree within the last three years in mechanical, civil, chemical, or nuclear engineering, physics, or a closely related science discipline from an ABET-accredited institution (or international equivalent).
• Minimum 3.2 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with aerosol filter systems and source-term measurements relevant to nuclear material storage containers.
• Familiarity with aerosol wind tunnel techniques (e.g., US EPA 40 CFR 53.41).
• Experience using aerosol size distribution instruments such as cascade impactors or particle sizers.
• Active DOE "Q" clearance or eligibility for clearance.

Required Application Materials (for all intern levels - do not delete):

• Current resume
• Current official transcripts
• Personal statement of interest (not to exceed one page)

Work Environment:

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:

Contact: RP-SVS Aerosol Engineering Group (applyhelp@lanl.gov)

Murray Edward Moore

memoore@lanl.gov

505-665-9661 Tel.

505-699-8264 Mobile

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.

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.
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