Postdoctoral Appointee - Radiation Detection Science, Onsite/Hybrid

Sandia National Laboratories; Livermore (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 129,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories seeks a Postdoctoral Appointee to advance research in radiation detection and imaging. The role involves designing experiments, modeling, and data analysis using state-of-the-art facilities, with opportunities to contribute to new directions aligned with Sandia's mission.

The position requires a PhD in a relevant field, DOE Q-level clearance eligibility, and a willingness to work onsite in Livermore, CA, with some travel and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• PhD in Particle Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Optical Sciences, Nuclear Physics, or related field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance.

Responsibilities

• Research physical phenomena through experimental measurements and develop theories based on data.
• Simulate radiation transport and interactions of detector systems, including verification and validation of the code.
• Develop and characterize radiation detector systems and their components.
• Develop and test digital readout electronics and data acquisition systems.
• Develop and perform scintillator characterization and precision optical measurements.
• Analyze and interpret high-channel-count data.
• Communicate effectively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Travel as required for the job.

Skills

Security clearance

Scientific programming

C++

Python

Monte Carlo codes

Education

PhD in Particle Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Optical Sciences, or Nuclear Physics

Tools

MCNP/Geant4

DAQ systems

FPGA/PCB electronics

Job description

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 motivated Postdoctoral Appointee to perform research and development in radiation detection science. You will work in a dynamic, innovative, and interdisciplinary team environment, contributing to projects related to neutron detection and imaging.

Your work will encompass the design and execution of laboratory experiments using state-of-the-art facilities and equipment; modeling and simulation; algorithm development and data analysis for material characterization, particle identification, and image reconstruction; and presentation of results through conference participation and peer-reviewed publications.

You will apply your technical knowledge of radiation detection techniques to existing programs and will have opportunities to contribute to the development of new research directions that fall within the scope of Sandia's mission areas.

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

• Research physical phenomena through experimental measurements and develop theories based on data.
• Simulate radiation transport and interactions of detector systems, including verification and validation of the code.
• Develop and characterize radiation detector systems and their components.
• Develop and test digital readout electronics and data acquisition systems.
• Develop and perform scintillator characterization and precision optical measurements.
• Analyze and interpret high-channel-count data.
• Communicate effectively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Travel as required for the job.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite 50% of the time, and this percentage may change due to business needs. The selected applicant can work a combination of onsite and offsite work. The selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary. This position is located in Livermore, CA, and the annual salary for this position is $112,200.

Qualifications We Require

• PhD in Particle Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Optical Sciences, Nuclear Physics, or other relevant, related field.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance

Qualifications We Desire

• Demonstrated experience with at least one of the following:
  • developing algorithms for radiation detection and imaging techniques
  • developing readout hardware and software for data acquisition systems
• Proficiency in scientific programming, particularly C++ and/or Python and/or Monte Carlo-based radiation transport codes such as MCNP or Geant4
• Experience with data acquisition and hardware-interfaced measurement systems, PMT/SiPM characterization and readout, scintillator characterization, and/or precision optical measurements
• Familiarity with digital and/or analog electronics, such as FPGA-based systems, ASIC characterization, PCB-level functionality, and/or electronics debugging
• Expertise in statistics and uncertainty quantification, data science, and/or analyzing complex data structures
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively disseminate scientific results, including through conference presentations, conference proceedings, and/or peer-reviewed publications
  

About Our Team

The Radiation and Nuclear Detection Systems department undertakes research and development of ionizing radiation and rare signature detection systems to address broad nuclear security needs in support of various U.S. Government programs. Through internal and external collaborations, the department targets applications in nuclear proliferation detection, nuclear non-proliferation, international safeguards, radiological emergency response, and other national security objectives.

The department specializes in designing detection systems for anticipated radiation signatures and backgrounds for specific applications, starting at Technology Readiness Level 1, basic research, through Technology Readiness Level 5, field experiments. Areas of significant experience and expertise include fission-energy neutron detection and imaging, gamma spectroscopy, weak source detection techniques, and high-channel-count systems

Radiation transport modeling and simulation is used extensively to understand and verify experimental results and optimize detector design. Data analysis and algorithm development for particle identification and discrimination is conducted.

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.

Position Information

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.