Ion Beam Experimental Postdoc

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental insurance

401(k) matching

Flexible schedules and PTO

Job summary

Los Alamos National Security LLC is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the development of an ion-beam-driven neutron irradiation capability. This role involves designing, calibrating, and operating a proton-on-lithium neutron source.

The successful candidate will collaborate with a multidisciplinary team and engage in experimental work, data analysis, and documentation. Candidates must demonstrate extensive experimental experience and possess a Ph.D. in a relevant field.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience using beam diagnostics.
• Experience with neutron production and target materials.
• Ability to analyze and document experiments.

Responsibilities

• Support development of neutron irradiation capability.
• Contribute to design and commissioning of neutron sources.
• Participate in data analysis and reporting.

Skills

Experimental experience with ion sources

Knowledge of ion-beam interactions

Ability to design complex experiments

Experience with software control

Education

Ph.D. in a related field

Tools

Python

LabVIEW

MCNP

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 with emphasis on achieving controlled neutron fluxes for in situ irradiation experiments.

The postdoctoral researcher will work as part of a multidisciplinary team involving ion beam systems, neutron target design, accelerator operations, scanning electron microscopy, neutron diagnostics, software control, and experiment safety authorization. The position will include hands‑on experimental work, system integration, data analysis, documentation, and reporting.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrated experimental experience with ion sources, ion beamlines, accelerator facilities, ion source test stands, or related charged‑particle beam systems.
• Demonstrated experience using beam diagnostics, which may include 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 Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Benefits

• 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)

Security Clearance

Q clearance required. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government. The position requires Q clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens.

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.