Polymer Degradation and Aging Postdoctoral Research Associate

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Parental leave

401(k) plan

Tuition assistance

PTO & holidays

Onsite fitness facilities

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to study aging, degradation, and gas-release signatures in polymers. The role spans two funded projects, involving polymer films, aging in various fluids, and correlating gases released with property changes.

The candidate will perform GC/GC-MS analyses, IR/thermal/mechanical tests, and collaborate with materials, EE, and statistics teams to publish findings and contribute to sponsor reports.

Qualifications

• Experience with polymer aging, degradation, or compatibility experiments.
• Publishes peer-reviewed work and presents findings.
• Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience with GC or GC-MS and multiple polymer characterization techniques.

Responsibilities

• Fabricate and characterize polymer thin films with varied properties.
• Design and run aging experiments in different fluids.
• Measure gas-phase degradation products via GC or headspace GC-MS.
• Track material property changes with aging using IR, thermal, and mechanical tests.
• Apply stats to experiments and curate datasets.
• Collaborate with colleagues and report results in sponsor reports and papers.

Skills

Gas chromatography

GC-MS

Infrared spectroscopy

Thermal analysis

Mechanical testing

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

Ph.D. in materials science

Tools

Gas Chromatography

GC-MS

Infrared spectroscopy

Thermal analysis

Job description

What You Will Do

The Materials Synthesis and Integrated Devices Group (MPA-11) is seeking an outstanding Postdoctoral Research Associate to study how polymers age and degrade. The position is split equally between two funded projects that share one scientific core: aging polymers in fluids, detecting the damage through the gases they release, and confirming it through property changes.

Responsibilities may include:

• Fabricate and characterize polymer thin films with varied thickness, basis weight, porosity, tensile and tear strength, and fluid impregnation.
• Design and run controlled and accelerated aging experiments on polymer materials in different fluids (e.g. oils, solvents, and aqueous solutions) media.
• Measure gas-phase degradation products by dissolved gas analysis of aged fluids and by headspace GC-MS of polymer volatiles.
• Track material property changes with aging by infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, mechanical and standard fluid compatibility tests, and dielectric and partial discharge testing.
• Apply statistics to experimental design, uncertainty analysis, and comparisons with incumbent materials, and curate the resulting datasets.
• Collaborate with materials, electrical engineering, and statistics colleagues and industrial partners, and report results in sponsor reports and publications.

What You Need

Hands-on experience with polymer aging, degradation, or compatibility experiments under thermal, chemical, or fluid exposure.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Hands-on experience with gas chromatography or gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
• Experience with two or more polymer characterization techniques, such as infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, or mechanical testing.
• A record of peer‑reviewed publications and presentations.
• Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams, communicate effectively, and work safely in a laboratory.

Desired Qualifications:

• Statistical analysis of experimental data (design of experiments, regression, uncertainty analysis) and scripting in Python, R, or MATLAB.
• Experience with electrical insulating materials or fluids, dielectric testing, or related ASTM, IEC, or IEEE test methods.
• Experience with high‑performance polymers such as PBI, polyimides, or aramids.
• Experience with fiber or paper processing, such as wet‑laid forming, electrospinning, or calendering.
• Knowledge of polymer‑solvent interactions, including swelling and plasticization.

Education:

A Ph.D. in materials science, polymer science, chemistry, chemical engineering, 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.

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:

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 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.