Postdoctoral Appointee - Metal Additive Manufacturing, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM, invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to study structure-property-processing relationships in metal additive manufacturing. The selected candidate will develop AM processes for a new alloy and perform detailed microstructure characterization to understand performance implications.

The role emphasizes collaboration with diverse teams, manuscript preparation, and dissemination at conferences, with onsite work required.

Qualifications

• PhD in materials science, metallurgy, mechanical engineering or related field.
• Experience with additive manufacturing technologies or physical metallurgy.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop an additive manufacturing process tailored to a new alloy.
• Perform detailed characterization on a part microstructure to determine formation and performance.
• Design AM techniques for compositionally graded parts or multi-material manufacturing.
• Collaborate with Sandia scientists and external partners to apply metal AM to manufacturing problems.
• Share results through manuscripts, conferences, and presentations to stakeholders.

Skills

Additive manufacturing

Physical metallurgy

Education

PhD in materials science, metallurgy, mechanical engineering or related field

Job description

Bidder Eligibility

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment. Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.

Bidder Eligibility

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment. Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance. Employees, excluding student interns, must remain in their current position for one year from their hire date before bidding on a new job. However, the hiring manager may obtain approval to consider a candidate before the one-year requirement is met via the review process. This approval must be secured prior to being interviewed for a posted position. The application of this requirement will not supersede collective bargaining agreements. Please refer to the collective bargaining labor agreements for eligibility requirements for represented bidders.

About Sandia

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas.

Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

• These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like

At the forefront of manufacturing innovation, the Advanced Metals Processing team drives transformative solutions to complex materials challenges that support Sandia's national security mission. As part of Sandia's metal advanced manufacturing initiative, you will develop next-generation manufacturing processes that redefine the state-of-the-art in metal fabrication.

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher to study structure-property-processing relationships in materials produced by laser-powder directed energy deposition. In this role you will design and execute experiments to build AM metal parts. You will use your scientific insights to identify key features of the manufacturing process and resulting material to help shape the future of metal AM within the Nuclear Security Enterprise.

• Develop an additive manufacturing process tailored to a new alloy
• Perform detailed characterization on a part microstructure to determine why it formed and how it may affect performance
• Design AM techniques for compositionally graded parts or multi-material manufacturing
• Collaborate in diverse teams with other Sandia scientists and external partners to identify how metal AM can help solve complex manufacturing problems
• Share results through writing manuscripts for peer review, attending conferences, or presenting to Sandia stakeholders

Due to the nature of the work, the selected candidate must be able to work onsite.

Qualifications We Require

• PhD in materials science, metallurgy, mechanical engineering or related field
• Experience with additive manufacturing technologies or physical metallurgy
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal Postdoctoral Appointee - Metal Additive Manufacturing candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will also possess one or more of the following:

• Expertise with laser- and powder- based metal AM techniques, especially directed energy deposition
• Experience working with and characterizing metal powders
• Experience preparing and characterizing metallographic samples to evaluate microstructure
• Proficiency with AM software workflow, topology optimization tools, or computational thermodynamics (CALPHAD) methodology
• Familiarity with alloy design and the state of the art in functionally graded or compositionally graded materials (FGM, CGM)
• Record of technical excellence demonstrated by publications and conference presentations
• The ability to conduct creative independent research
• Experience with AI, machine learning, or data science
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills

About Our Team

Sandia National Laboratories Organization 1812 encompasses both the Advanced Metal Processing Department and the Rapid Development Machine Shop. The Rapid Development Machine Shop specializes in advanced machining techniques, offering engineering expertise as well as agile prototyping and small-lot production capabilities. The Advanced Metal Processing Department focuses on cutting-edge R&D in metal additive manufacturing, laser machining, and laser surface modification. Our metal additive manufacturing capabilities include alloy development, qualification and acceptance, geometric design and optimization, as well as process innovation. Current additive manufacturing platforms employ laser powder bed fusion, laser-powder directed energy deposition (DED), and wire-arc DED to produce components from a wide range of conventional and specialty alloys. Our staff is engaged in providing collaborative, innovative materials science and systems-based engineering solutions to support the Sandia mission.

Posting Duration

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

Eeo

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements For MedPEDs

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.