Postdoctoral Researcher in Monte Carlo Particle Transport Methods | Los Alamos, NM | Los Alamos National Laboratory

Postdoctoral Researcher in Monte Carlo Particle Transport Methods

What You Will Do

The Monte Carlo Particle Transport Methods Group (XCP-3) at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking an early career postdoctoral candidate to join our world-class team! The successful applicant will gain experience in Monte Carlo particle transport methods development with one of the world's foremost Monte Carlo teams.

XCP-3 provides the Monte Carlo particle transport capability needed to accurately predict the interaction of radiation with matter. Our predictive capability is the world's foremost predictive tool for nuclear criticality safety simulations and plays a central role in many fields including nuclear energy, nuclear medicine, and radiation safety. The successful applicant will perform research and development to improve Monte Carlo particle transport simulation in areas that support the national-security programs and mission of the Laboratory.

XCP-3 develops the widely used MCNP® particle transport code (https://mcnp.lanl.gov) and are developing new capabilities with the C++ Monte Carlo Application Toolkit (MCATK). Our work supports a variety of Laboratory missions, including stockpile stewardship, nonproliferation, threat reduction, and energy and environmental sciences. We deliver technology, methods, production quality codes, and training to sponsors, primarily U.S. federal agencies, through research, development, and maintenance of high-quality software and documentation.

The successful applicant will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge of production scientific software development. Additionally, they will expand their computer programming knowledge and experience in the area of software development for high performance computing. They will have the opportunity to present their research at professional conferences and publish their work in peer-reviewed journals.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Technical Knowledge

Professional knowledge and experience in one or more of the following technical areas: Monte Carlo particle transport methods development or developing methods for advanced architectures, such as GPUs.
Communication:
You must have proficiency in technical writing including effective written and verbal communications skills with individuals, committees, and presentations across a wide variety of audiences. Demonstrated expertise in research and development through peer-reviewed publications.

Programming Experience

Experience with programming languages such as Fortran, C/C++, and/or Python.

Collaboration

Teamwork is essential to the success of our group. As such you will need to have demonstrated the ability to function effectively in a team environment with a willingness to learn new skills and be flexible in work assignments. This includes exhibiting professional conduct in interactions with co-workers and supervisors.

Clearance

Ability to obtain a DOE Q Clearance, which typically requires US Citizenship.

Education/Experience:

A Ph.D. in physics, engineering or applied mathematics, or a related field. The candidate must be within 5 years of completion of Ph.D., or will have completed all Ph. D. requirements by commencement of the appointment.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Record of achievement in Monte Carlo radiation transport (theory, simulation, code development).
  • Experience with computational parallelism (MPI, OpenMP, C++ Threads, GPU parallelism).
  • Experience in modern software development techniques
  • Experience with GPU programming.
  • Demonstrated interest in LANL's mission and research environment.
  • Active Q clearance is strongly preferred.
Location: This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM.
Note to Applicants: Applicants must apply online, and must submit a CV and a comprehensive cover letter describing their qualifications and how they meet the required and desired (as appropriate) requirements for the position.
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.

Q Clearance: 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.

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.Employment StatusFull TimeAppointment TypePostdocPostdoc

Fraud Warning:

Unfortunately, employment scams are real. Sometimes bad actors try to impersonate a hiring organization in an attempt to gain an applicant’s personal or financial information.

Please be aware that Los Alamos National Laboratory will never ask for funds for equipment or otherwise at any stage of the application or employment process. Official correspondence with the Laboratory will come from an email ending in lanl.gov.

If you feel that you have been the victim of a scam, please contact your local law enforcement agency.