Experimental Nuclear Physics Postdoc

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance options

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) matching

Flexible schedules

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Job summary

A leading national research institution is seeking multiple postdoctoral researchers in Los Alamos, NM. These roles involve conducting advanced nuclear physics research and measurements at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center. Candidates will work on diverse projects in nuclear astrophysics and have the opportunity for fellowships, including the Director's Fellowship. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in relevant fields, showcasing independent and collaborative research capabilities, with a focus on particle or gamma-ray development skills.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a relevant area of nuclear physics, particle physics, astrophysics, nuclear engineering, or related areas.
• Ability to carry out independent and collaborative research.
• Ability to communicate both technically and interpersonally, orally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Perform measurements, analysis, and development of nuclear physics experiments.
• Collaborate with diverse research groups on various projects.
• Contribute to scientific understanding of nuclear astrophysics and reactions.

Skills

Independent research capabilities

Collaborative research abilities

Technical communication skills

Experience in particle or gamma-ray detector development

Experience with Monte Carlo simulation tools

Familiarity with NUMPY programming

Education

Ph.D. in nuclear physics, particle physics, astrophysics, or related areas

Tools

Monte Carlo simulation tools

UNIX/Linux operating systems

Data acquisition systems

Job description

What You Will Do

The low-energy nuclear physics team (P-3) in LANL's Physics Division is looking for two or more postdoctoral researchers to work on direct and indirect measurements of neutron-induced reactions. The successful candidate will perform measurements, analysis, and/or development with the suite of instruments located at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). The instruments include the Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (DANCE), the Low-Energy (n,Z) (LENZ) Instrument, the Chi-Nu Prompt Fission Neutron Instrument, the Correlated Gamma-Neutron Array for sCattering (CoGNAC), the Spatially REsolved Fission Tracker and TPC (SREFT), the SPecrometer for Ion DEtermination Research (SPIDER), and the Device for Indirect Capture Experiments on Radionuclides (DICER), which all take advantage of the unique time-of-flight neutron beams available at LANSCE. These neutron beams are produced via spallation and cover a broad range of incident neutron energies from sub-thermal to 800 MeV. New capabilities being developed include a novel Neutron Target Facility for measuring neutron-induced reactions in inverse kinematics, and current opportunities available to work on the ongoing Neutron Target Demonstrator and ASTRA facility. Outside Los Alamos, experimental campaigns are also performed using charged particle beams at various university based, or national laboratory based accelerator facilities.

Research areas in the group include studies of nuclear astrophysics (s-process, r-process, heavy element synthesis), nuclear structure (gamma-ray spectroscopy, level density, photon strength function), nuclear reactions, and studies of the fission process. The group is tightly coupled to the LANL Theory Division; nuclear physics and astrophysics theory groups as well as rad-hydro modeling teams in nuclear applications groups.

A broad range of expertise and background is desired in the team, and there are multiple distinct projects that a successful candidate could pursue within the research disciplines of the team. Opportunities for collaboration outside of P-3 include, for example, working with nuclear engineers on applications of spallation physics, with radiochemists on radioactive target fabrication, or with a variety of groups developing simulations for real-world applications.

Highly qualified applicants will be considered for Director's or Agnew National Security Postdoctoral Fellowships with exceptional candidates being considered for the prestigious Marie Curie, Richard P. Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, or Frederick Reines Fellowships.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Ph.D. in a relevant area of nuclear physics, particle physics, astrophysics, nuclear engineering, or related areas
• Ability to carry out independent and collaborative research
• Ability to communicate both technically and interpersonally both, orally and in writing

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in particle or gamma-ray detector development and/or implementation
• Experience with Monte Carlo based particle/gamma-ray simulation tools
• Experience with nuclear reaction models
• Experience with detector electronic hardware and/or data acquisition design and development
• Experience with numerical methods or computational physics
• Familiarity or expertise with the UNIX/Linux operating systems and or scripting languages such as Python
• Familiarity and or expertise with machine learning approaches

Education

A Ph.D. in Physics or a related field completed within the last five years or soon to be completed is required. Exceptions can be made to the five-year time-frame-please inquire if this is relevant.

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:

• Please send any questions for details or information to Sean Kuvin, who is co-chairing the search committee.
• In addition to applying online, please send a curriculum vitae, a cover letter summarizing relevant qualifications, research, and career goals, and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to [e-mail].
• Candidates may be considered for a Director's Fellowship and outstanding candidates may be considered for the prestigious Marie Curie, Richard P. Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Frederick Reines or Harold Agnew Fellowships.
• General information on the LANL Postdoc Program and postdoctoral salaries is available.

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.

No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

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 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.