Detonation Physics Postdoctoral Research Associate

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Ann Arbor (MI); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & Vision

Life & disability insurance

Parental leave

401(k) plan

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules

Onsite gym

Relocation package

Job summary

The Shock and Detonation Physics Group at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) seeks a postdoctoral candidate for a SPARC program collaboration with the University of Michigan. Located on the U-M campus in Ann Arbor, MI, the role focuses on developing computational tools to calibrate detonation models for energetic materials and integrating AI/ML orchestration for reliable simulations and experiments.

Initial work includes AI-driven adaptive calibration, multi-fidelity modeling, and guidance

Qualifications

• PhD completed within the last five years or soon to be completed.
• Background in high-speed compressible flow physics of gaseous and/or condensed phase materials.
• Proficiency in Python, modern Fortran, and/or C++.
• Strong record of publications commensurate with experience.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to obtain a DOE Q Clearance, which typically requires US Citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Develop AI-driven frameworks for adaptive model calibration and experimental design.
• Derive novel modeling paradigms and constitutive closures for high-speed reacting flows.
• Develop reduced-order modeling capabilities across a multi-fidelity simulation hierarchy.
• Inform experimental design at LANL for calibration and validation of energetic materials.

Skills

Python

Fortran

C++

Publications

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Computational Science, Engineering, or Applied Mathematics

Job description

What You Will Do

The Shock and Detonation Physics Group at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking an outstanding candidate for a postdoctoral position as part of the new Strategic Partnership and Accelerated Research Collaboration (SPARC) program between LANL and the University of Michigan (U-M). This joint research environment is located on the U-M campus in Ann Arbor, MI and co-locates LANL scientists with U-M faculty and students to enable unique collaboration opportunities and scientific breakthroughs. This position has broad scope for the development of new computational tools for the calibration of detonation models for energetic materials. Of particular interest is the development of frameworks that couple physics-based detonation models with modern AI/ML orchestration layers to systematically quantify model reliability and guide the design of high-value simulations and experiments. This position will foster expertise in the numerical simulation of condensed-phase and gaseous explosives, model calibration and uncertainty quantification, verification and validation, and the intelligent allocation of computational and experimental resources. Initial projects will focus on one or more of the following milestones:

• Develop AI-driven frameworks for adaptive model calibration and experimental design
• Derive novel modeling paradigms and constitutive closures for high-speed reacting flows
• Develop reduced-order modeling capabilities across a multi-fidelity simulation hierarchy
• Inform experimental design at LANL for calibration and validation of energetic materials

The position will be located at the SPARC center in Ann Arbor, MI.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• A Ph.D. in Computational Science, Engineering, or Applied Mathematics
• Background in high-speed compressible flow physics of gaseous and/or condensed phase materials
• Proficiency in Python, modern Fortran, and/or C++
• Strong record of publications commensurate with experience
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to obtain a DOE Q Clearance, which typically requires US Citizenship

Education/Experience: A Ph.D. in Computational Science, Engineering, or Applied Mathematics completed within the last five years or soon to be completed.

Desired Qualifications

• Numerical simulation of compressible detonating flows and energetics
• Multi-fidelity and/or reduced-order modeling techniques in reactive flows
• Model calibration, uncertainty quantification, and design of experiments
• Parametrization of condensed phase explosive constitutive models
• AI/ML techniques for data analysis, surrogate modeling, or agentic/LLM-based orchestration

Work Environment

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in SPARC center in Ann Arbor, MI. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Note to Applicants

• This position will be located at the SPARC center located at the University of Michigan and Ann Arbor.
• Applicants should submit a CV and cover letter. The cover letter should be composed of a one-page career narrative followed by a bulleted list of the applicant's relevant experience for each requirement.
• Anticipate active participation in academic scientific conferences, including the International Symposium on Combustion, the International Conference on Numerical Combustion, the International Colloquium on the Dynamics of Explosions and Reactive Systems, and more.
• For more information about SPARC, please visit www.lanl.gov/engage/collaboration/about-sparc
• For more details regarding this position, please send inquiries to [e-mail]

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 Ann Arbor, MI, the SPARC center is situated on the northern campus of the University of Michigan and houses staff and students from both the U-M and LANL. This center represents a world-class collaborative and multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security and academic excellence. 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

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 [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.