Postdoctoral Researcher
- Req. Number: IRC140817
- Organization : MST-16/Nuclear Materials Science
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
The Nuclear Materials Science (MST-16) group at the Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks outstanding candidates with strong theoretical and practical backgrounds in mechanical testing and processing-microstructure-property relationships in metallic materials. As a member of the Dynamic and Mechanical Testing (DMT) team in MST-16, the successful candidate will support two key projects scheduled for funding in the upcoming fiscal years. The research focuses on mechanical characterization of materials at both small and bulk scales, with an emphasis on nano-indentation techniques and the processing-microstructure-property relationships in molybdenum-based alloys.
You will work in a multidisciplinary team alongside technicians, scientists, and engineers to maintain and improve experimental design, determine appropriate experimental parameters to accurately investigate and represent macroscopic material properties, develop guidelines for fabrication-friendly thermal protocols.
MST-16 supports national security missions through engineering innovation, system development, and materials testing in support of Pit Surveillance, Plutonium Modernization, and other core programs.
Roles and responsibilities for the position include:
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Desired Qualifications:
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
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.
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 $97k
Note to Applicants:
For full consideration, your application must include a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required and desired skills and a full resume. For more information on Postdoc program at LANL, please refer to https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/postdoc-program/index.php
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:
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.
Clearance: Q (Position may be cleared to this level). 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. 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.
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:
Follow the instructions below if you if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to create an account:
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.
If you experience any technical issues, please email applyhelp@lanl.gov for assistance.
The Nuclear Materials Science (MST-16) group at the Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks outstanding candidates with strong theoretical and practical backgrounds in mechanical testing and processing-microstructure-property relationships in metallic materials. As a member of the Dynamic and Mechanical Testing (DMT) team in MST-16, the successful candidate will support two key projects scheduled for funding in the upcoming fiscal years. The research focuses on mechanical characterization of materials at both small and bulk scales, with an emphasis on nano-indentation techniques and the processing-microstructure-property relationships in molybdenum-based alloys.
You will work in a multidisciplinary team alongside technicians, scientists, and engineers to maintain and improve experimental design, determine appropriate experimental parameters to accurately investigate and represent macroscopic material properties, develop guidelines for fabrication-friendly thermal protocols.
MST-16 supports national security missions through engineering innovation, system development, and materials testing in support of Pit Surveillance, Plutonium Modernization, and other core programs.
Roles and responsibilities for the position include:
- Conduct nano-indentation testing including standard nano-indentation, creep testing via nano-indentation, strain-rate jump tests, and spherical indentation for stress-strain characterization.
- Conduct bulk mechanical testing including quasi-static and dynamic tension/compression tests.
- Analyze and compare mechanical tests data across scales.
- Determine protocols for using nano-indentation as a reliable proxy for mechanical behavior.
- Prepare and section alloy samples for testing and perform controlled heat treatments and thermal process simulations.
- Correlate mechanical performance with thermal processing windows and certification specs.
- Contribute to the development of scientific proposals/programs and serve as a formal mentor for students involved in these programs.
- Maintain compliance with safety, security, and environmental regulations.
- Serve as a subject matter expert within a team to help guide the future development of capabilities.
- Contribute to intellectual property such as technical reports and relevant publications in scientific journals.
- Author papers in peer reviewed scientific journals and present work at scientific conferences.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Ph.D. in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
- Hands-on experience with nano-indentation and mechanical testing.
- Strong understanding of deformation mechanisms in metals.
- Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation of mechanical property results.
- Demonstrated experience in conducting original scientific research through peer reviewed publication record.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with high-temperature materials or refractory alloys.
- Familiarity with spherical indentation modeling and interpretation.
- Background in metallography and thermal treatments.
- Experience in computer programming using modern computing languages.
- Experience with analytical electron microscopy methods (SEM, EDS, EBSD).
- Ability to work effectively as a part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment and interact with people with a variety of expertise.
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation):
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.
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 $97k
Note to Applicants:
For full consideration, your application must include a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required and desired skills and a full resume. For more information on Postdoc program at LANL, please refer to https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/postdoc-program/index.php
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.
Clearance: Q (Position may be cleared to this level). 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. 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.
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.
