Materials Science Postdoctoral Research Associate

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Parental leave

401(k) retirement plan

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules

Onsite gyms

Relocation packages

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Materials Scientist Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Chemical Diagnostics and Engineering Group (C-CDE) to advance materials characterization across weapons materials, energy sciences, environmental mitigation, and related applications.

The successful candidate will conduct independent and collaborative research on inorganic solids, polymers, coatings, and uranium-containing materials, applying techniques such as SEM, BET, XRD, Raman, FTIR, and

Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with several chemical or physical characterization techniques relevant to the materials described above.
• Experience characterizing both inorganic materials (metals, oxides, minerals, porous materials, ceramics) and organic/polymeric materials (polymers, resins, coatings, adhesives, formulations, composites).
• Proven ability to lead a project from conception to development and execution, with follow-on plans for future work.
• Proven self-motivator and technical leader.
• Proven ability to work effectively in a team and independently to meet milestones.
• Strong communication and organizational skills; able to work under pressure in a dynamic environment.
• Record of working safely in a scientific laboratory.

Responsibilities

• Apply and develop chemical and physical characterization techniques for inorganic and organic materials.
• Investigate reaction mechanisms and kinetics of gas/solid interfaces including uranium metal corrosion.
• Characterize polymers, resins, coatings, adhesives, and composites to support development and quality control.
• Design, assemble, and operate experimental systems under ambient and vacuum conditions.
• Contribute to internal and sponsor reports, or technical publications to meet program objectives.
• Work independently on projects and contribute to larger team efforts; exercise scientific judgment on direction.

Skills

Characterization techniques

Inorganic materials

Organic materials

Project leadership

Independent work

Communication

Laboratory safety

Education

Ph.D. in Chemistry or Materials Science

Tools

SEM

BET

XRD

Raman

FTIR

Rheology

Job description

What You Will Do

The Chemical Diagnostics and Engineering Group (C-CDE) at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking an outstanding and highly motivated person for the position of Materials Scientist Postdoctoral Research Associate. C-CDE is an applied technology organization focusing on weapons materials characterization, surveillance, and manufacturing; applied and basic energy sciences; threat reduction; and the environment. C-CDE integrates and applies technologies using scientific expertise in Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Process Development and/or Chemical Engineering. C-CDE engages in Laboratory missions including material characterization and development, weapons support, and environmental mitigation. The highly interdisciplinary nature of these activities requires scientists and engineers who can seamlessly operate among traditional academic disciplines. The successful applicant will work both collaboratively and independently on C-CDE projects.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate with expertise in materials science and the characterization of both inorganic and organic materials. The successful candidate will conduct independent and collaborative research supporting the development and evaluation of materials including inorganic solids, polymers, formulations, coatings, adhesives, composites, and uranium-containing materials. The candidate will apply scientific principles and methods to solve complex technical problems; develop novel techniques or principles; analyze and interpret data. The position will require direct interaction with colleagues and sponsors, and the preparation of proposals, manuscripts, and technical reports.

Responsibilities for the selected candidate may include, but are not limited to:

• Apply and develop a variety of chemical and physical characterization techniques such as SEM, BET, XRD, Raman, FTIR, and rheological analysis, for both inorganic and organic materials.
• Conduct research to determine reaction mechanisms and kinetics of gas/solid phase interfaces including uranium metal corrosion.
• Characterize and analyze organic materials including polymers, resins, adhesives, coatings, and complex formulations using appropriate analytical techniques to support materials development and quality control efforts.
• Design, assemble, and operate experimental systems under ambient and vacuum conditions to study gas diffusion, transport, adsorption, and surface reactions.
• Contribute to internal reports, progress reports to sponsors, or technical publications in peer-reviewed journals, as appropriate to meet program objectives.
• Work unsupervised on individual projects and/or contributes to larger team efforts. Make scientific judgments that affect project direction but often seek feedback or receive review.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Hands-on experience with several chemical or physical characterization techniques relevant to the materials described above.
• Experience characterizing both: inorganic materials, such as metals, oxides, minerals, porous materials, ceramics, or related solids; and organic or polymeric materials, such as polymers, resins, coatings, adhesives, formulations, or composites.
• Proven ability applying fundamental scientific and/or engineering concepts to lead a project from conception to development and execution, with follow-on plans for future work.
• Proven self-motivator and technical leader.
• Proven ability to work effectively both in a team and independently to meet programmatic milestones and scientific goals.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and organize, and work efficiently under pressure in a rapidly changing environment.
• Documented record of working safely and responsibly in a scientific laboratory.

Desired Skills

• Demonstrated experience in developing and conducting experiments with radiological materials or sources.
• Comfortable with hands-on troubleshooting, maintenance, or modification of laboratory equipment and experimental systems.
• Experience with instrumentation such as SEM, BET, XRD, and rheological analysis.
• Experience studying surface reactions, corrosion, gas-solid interactions, adsorption, diffusion, or reaction kinetics.
• Experience with porous inorganic materials, particularly zeolites, including synthesis, characterization, ion exchange, functionalization, or post-synthetic modification.

Education

A Ph.D. in chemistry, materials science or a related field. The candidate must have completed all Ph.D. requirements by commencement of the appointment and must be within five years of completion of the Ph.D. Candidates may also have previous experience including postdoctoral experience.

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:

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.

Clearance: Q

Position will be cleared to this level. 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