Post Masters ST

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 52,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Tuition assistance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) invites applications for a Post-Master's Student in the Materials Synthesis & Integrated Devices group (MPA-11) to support experiments on polymer composites and materials characterization. You will design and conduct experiments, analyze data, and communicate results through reports and presentations.

Working with a multidisciplinary team of chemists and engineers, you will develop structure-property relationships, explore aging and degradation of polymers,

Qualifications

• Must have earned a master's in a related field with GPA ≥3.2 on a 4.0 scale.
• Experience conducting laboratory experiments and following procedures.
• Ability to analyze, interpret, and document scientific data clearly.

Responsibilities

• Design and conduct experiments on polymer materials and composites.
• Characterize chemical, thermal, mechanical, and surface properties.
• Communicate findings via technical reports, publications, and presentations.

Skills

Lab experiments

Data analysis

Written communication

Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in chemistry or polymer science

Tools

TGA

DSC

DMA

NMR

XPS

SEM/TEM

Job description

What You Will Do

The Materials Synthesis & Integrated Devices (MPA-11) at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a highly motivated Post-Master's Student to support experimental research in polymer composites and materials characterization. Research will focus on developing and evaluating polymer-based materials, investigating polymer aging and degradation, and establishing structure-property relationships.

Depending on their expertise, the successful candidate will characterize the chemical, thermal, mechanical, morphological, and surface properties of polymer-based materials. Responsibilities include developing research ideas, designing and conducting experiments, interpreting experimental data, and communicating findings through technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations. The candidate will work closely with a multidisciplinary team of polymer chemists, analytical chemists, experimentalists, and computational scientists.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• A master's degree in chemistry, polymer chemistry, polymer characterization, material science, analytical science, or a closely related field.
• Experience conducting laboratory experiments and following established procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze, interpret, and clearly document scientific data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative research environment.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience on various polymer characterization: Broad knowledge of and strong hands‑on experience with analytical techniques for characterizing the chemical, thermal, mechanical, morphological, and/or surface properties of polymers and polymer-based composites.
• Characterization of polymer thermal and thermomechanical properties using techniques such as TGA, DSC, DMA, and TMA.
• Mechanical testing and rheological characterization of polymers and polymer-based composites.
• Characterization of polymer structure, morphology, and surface properties using techniques such as solid‑state NMR, AFM, XPS, XRD, SEM, and TEM.

Education / Experience

Must have earned a master's degree from an accredited institution (or international equivalent) within the past three years with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).

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

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, or Frederick Reines Fellowships.

For general information go to Postdoc Program.

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 northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. LANL enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

The Materials Synthesis and Integrated Devices group (MPA-11) conducts basic and applied research in areas related to applied energy programs and a variety of problems relevant to the weapons program. Our goal is to provide innovative and creative solutions needed to solve technical problems across the Laboratory's missions, including energy security, stockpile stewardship, and global threat reduction.

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.