Ion Beam Experimental Postdoc

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or high‑deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

401(k) with 6% matching and 3.5% annual contribution

Flexible schedules and paid time off

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate for developing an ion-beam-driven neutron irradiation capability. This role focuses on hands-on experimental work in a multidisciplinary team, contributing to design and analysis within accelerator operations.

The position requires a Ph.D. in relevant fields, offering extensive benefits including medical, dental, vision insurance, and a 401(k) plan with matching contributions.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experimental experience with ion sources and accelerator facilities.
• Knowledge of ion-beam interactions and accelerator operations.
• Ph.D. in accelerator physics, nuclear engineering, or related field.

Responsibilities

• Design, commission, and operate a neutron source for irradiation experiments.
• Conduct hands-on experimental work within a multidisciplinary team.
• Integrate systems and analyze data related to neutron diagnostics.

Skills

Experimental experience with ion sources

Experience using beam diagnostics

Knowledge of ion‑beam interactions

Ability to design and analyze experiments

Meeting technical milestones in research

Education

Ph.D. in a relevant field

Tools

MCNP

GEANT4

Python

LabVIEW

Job description

What You Will Do

MST‑8 is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the development of an ion‑beam‑driven neutron irradiation capability for materials and diagnostics applications. The successful candidate will contribute to the design, commissioning, calibration, and operation of a proton‑on‑lithium neutron source, emphasizing controlled neutron fluxes for in‑situ irradiation experiments. The role involves hands‑on experimental work, system integration, data analysis, documentation, and reporting within a multidisciplinary team that includes ion‑beam systems, neutron target design, accelerator operations, scanning electron microscopy, neutron diagnostics, software control, and experiment safety authorization.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrated experimental experience with ion sources, ion beamlines, accelerator facilities, ion source test stands, or related charged‑particle beam systems.
• Experience using beam diagnostics such as Faraday cups, beam current monitors, profile monitors, scintillators, phosphor screens, emittance diagnostics, energy analyzers, or related instrumentation.
• Knowledge of ion‑beam interactions with targets, beam transport, accelerator operations, vacuum systems, high‑voltage systems, or beamline control systems.
• Ability to design, execute, document, and analyze complex experiments involving beam delivery, target response, radiation production, or diagnostic calibration.
• Demonstrated ability to meet technical milestones, project deliverables, and sponsor expectations in a research or development environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with accelerator‑based neutron production, especially proton‑on‑lithium or other light‑ion‑induced neutron reactions.
• Experience with lithium, lithium compounds, or other neutron production target materials, including target fabrication, thermal management, target degradation, or beam‑power handling.
• Experience measuring neutron flux, neutron spectra, or radiation fields using neutron detectors, activation foils, scintillators, proportional counters, Bonner spheres, or related diagnostics.
• Experience with radiation transport, activation, or detector‑response modeling using tools such as MCNP, GEANT4, PHITS, FLUKA, SRIM/TRIM, COMSOL, or similar software.
• Experience developing software for experimental control, data acquisition, instrument synchronization, or automation using Python, LabVIEW, EPICS, MATLAB, C/C++, or related tools.
• Experience with scanning electron microscopy, in‑situ microscopy, materials irradiation, radiation damage, polymers, energetic materials, or microstructural characterization.

Education

Ph.D. in accelerator physics, nuclear engineering, experimental physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, applied physics, or a closely related field.

Work Environment

Work location: Onsite in Los Alamos, NM (discretionary by management). The position is a research role supporting national security missions.

Benefits

• PPO or high‑deductible medical insurance
• Dental and vision insurance
• Basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• 401(k) with 6% matching and 3.5% annual contribution
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and paid time off
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside 50 miles)

Legal and Security Requirements

The role requires U.S. citizenship for Q clearance. Citizens of the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, and the Russian Federation who are not lawful permanent residents are prohibited from accessing facilities that support national security missions.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, pregnancy, veteran status, genetic information, or citizenship, within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is committed to making its workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request.