Postdoctoral Appointee - Polymer Chemistry/Materials Science and Additive Manufacturing, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements (9/80 and 4

Relocation assistance

Telecommuting options

Generous vacation and benefits

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Appointee to advance polymer materials science and additive manufacturing. You will synthesize, formulate, and characterize organic and hybrid materials, mentor students, and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.

The role emphasizes independent problem-solving within a dynamic, multi-institution team, with opportunities to seek funding and present at conferences. DOE security requirements apply.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field conferred within five years prior to employment.
• Research experience in polymer, organic, or materials synthesis and characterization.
• Ability to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.

Responsibilities

• Perform polymer/material synthesis, formulation, and characterization.
• Develop and characterize new formulation chemistries for light-controlled polymerization.
• Contribute to additive manufacturing processes and materials development.
• Mentor students, publish results, and present at forums and conferences.
• Work collaboratively across multiple organizations on innovative research ideas.

Skills

Polymer synthesis

Materials formulation

Characterization techniques

Onsite work capability

Education

PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or closely related field

Job description

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Contract type: Full-Time (Temporary)

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

We are seeking a hardworking and enthusiastic Postdoctoral Appointee to join our team of scientists conducting fundamental research and development in the field of polymer materials science and additive manufacturing at Sandia National Laboratories. In this position, you will work with staff members, students, and technologists using a range of techniques to develop, characterize, and print organic and hybrid materials as part of a multi-institution research center.

Applicants should have experience in materials synthesis, formulation, and characterization, and should be experienced in, or interested in developing expertise in, 3D printing techniques. Experience with the development and characterization of photoactive chemistries and materials is also a plus but is not required. This position will be part of a dynamic team spanning multiple organizations and will require independent problem-solving, cooperative teamwork, and mentorship. A successful candidate will be expected to contribute to and execute innovative research ideas, communicate research results to principal investigators and program managers, present at internal and external forums and conferences, participate in program meetings, and publish in peer-reviewed journals. You will also have the opportunity to mentor students and to seek funding for additional research topics with the guidance and support of your mentor.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Perform polymer and/or materials synthesis, functionalization, and characterization, and develop and characterize new formulation chemistries to enable control of polymerization processes with light
• Utilize photorheology, spectroscopy, fluorimetry, and photoNMR to characterize photochemical processes relevant to additive manufacturing
• Develop novel additive manufacturing processes and materials for direct-ink-write and digital light projection 3D printing
• Use conventional instrumentation in unconventional ways, augment existing instrumentation, develop new apparatus or accessories, and develop data analysis and instrument feedback controls, as project needs require
• Perform basic lab and equipment maintenance

Expertise in all of the above areas is not expected. However, enthusiasm for learning new techniques and the ability to master new skills quickly are essential. Even if you do not possess all the desired skills or experience, we encourage you to apply if you are interested in the work.

This position has a targeted start date of January 2027, with flexibility for highly qualified candidates.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. Relocation assistance will be provided to those who qualify.

Qualifications We Require

• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field conferred within five years prior to employment with a demonstrated record of high academic achievement
• Research experience in polymer, organic, or materials synthesis and characterization
• Ability to work onsite in Albuquerque, NM
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with additive manufacturing of polymers
• Experience developing or characterizing photochemistries
• Experience with a broad range of materials characterization and mechanical testing techniques (DSC, TGA, rheology, DMA, IR, NMR, UV-Vis, etc.)
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with colleagues from diverse technical backgrounds across multiple organizations or institutions
• Demonstrated commitment to laboratory safety
• Strong work ethic and ability to rapidly learn new skills and work in a fast-paced environment
• A dedication to producing high-quality scientific results using good laboratory techniques and focused attention to detail
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong track record of scientific and/or technical achievements through publication, as evidenced by peer-reviewed journals and external presentations at appropriate scientific conferences Interest in mentoring undergraduate or graduate students

About Our Team

The Organic Materials Science Department is dedicated to scientific discovery, basic science, and developing creative, innovative, and practical solutions for our diverse partners. The department researches and develops new and advanced materials and processing strategies to meet a wide range of specialized applications in nuclear weapons, energy, national security, and industry.

The department specializes in aging science and predictive performance of polymers; synthetic organic chemistry and polymer chemistry; thermal, mechanical, chemical, and physical characterization of organic materials; and advanced manufacturing of polymers. Current R&D emphasizes aging of polymer materials, novel encapsulants, impact-mitigating and shock-mitigating polymer systems, new thermoset chemistries for additive manufacturing, polymer dielectrics, reversible and degradable chemistries, polymer interfacial properties and adhesion, radiation effects on polymers, cure kinetics, and permeation and degradation behavior.

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.