Postdoc: Field-Ready Portable Sensing Systems

Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque, USA); Albuquerque (NM); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 111,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 compressed workweek

4/10 compressed workweek

Telecommuting

Relocation assistance

Generous vacation

Medical benefits

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Postdoctoral Appointee to support the development of next‑generation portable chemical sensing systems for national security applications. Work spans hardware, analytical chemistry, data analysis, embedded systems, and fieldable instrument development.

On a typical day you will develop prototype portable sensors, test hardware subsystems, contribute to instrument control and data processing, and collaborate with chemists, engineers,

Qualifications

• PhD in Physical Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, or other related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as evidenced by publications and presentations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and mature prototype portable sensing systems for detection of hazardous compounds and related analytes.
• Design, build, integrate, and test hardware and subsystems for field-deployable analytical instruments.
• Contribute to instrument control, data acquisition, algorithm development, or hardware/software integration.
• Conduct laboratory characterization studies to evaluate detection performance, selectivity, and sensitivity.
• Develop or improve sampling methods, analytical workflows, or signal-processing methods for portable detection platforms.
• Perform experiments using laboratory analytical chemistry equipment to guide system design.
• Support operational testing, user evaluation, and field demonstrations with government stakeholders.
• Collaborate with chemists, engineers, physicists, and computer scientists to transition sensing technologies to deployable systems.

Skills

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Physical Sciences / Environmental Sciences / Chemistry / Engineering

Job description

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM seeks a Postdoctoral Appointee to support the development of next‑generation portable chemical sensing systems for national security applications. Work spans hardware, analytical chemistry, data analysis, embedded systems, and fieldable instrument development.

On a typical day you will develop prototype portable sensors, test hardware subsystems, contribute to instrument control and data processing, and collaborate with chemists, engineers,