Postdoctoral Research Associate in Distributed Fiber Optic Sensing

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Dental & vision

Life & disability insurance

Parental leave

401(k) matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules

Relocation packages

Job summary

The Earth and Environmental Sciences Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to develop methods to locate and evaluate coupling of optical fiber using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). DAS turns fiber optic cables into long, continuous sensing arrays, creating opportunities to study the ground and infrastructure through signals recorded along the fiber.

You will work with DAS datasets and a multidisciplinary team of geophysicists, data scientists, and

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in geophysics, seismology, applied mathematics, computer science, physics, engineering, or a related field.
• Research experience in computational methods for geophysical or other large scientific datasets.
• Experience with signal processing, time-series analysis, or high-performance computing.
• Strong programming skills in Python or a comparable scientific computing language.
• Publications or presentations demonstrating research productivity.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on an interdisciplinary research team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to obtain Q clearance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and evaluate algorithms for locating and characterizing telecommunications fiber using DAS data.
• Apply machine learning, signal processing and geophysical methods to large, complex datasets.
• Interpret DAS measurements in the context of seismic wave propagation and subsurface structure.
• Work with scientists and engineers to test methods against real-world data.
• Present results through scientific publications, presentations, and technical reports.

Skills

PhD in geophysics / related field

Computational methods

Signal processing

Time-series analysis

Python

Publications

Independent / collaborative work

Written & verbal communication

Q clearance

Education

PhD in geophysics / related field

Job description

What You Will Do

The Earth and Environmental Sciences Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to develop methods to locate and evaluate coupling of optical fiber using distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). DAS turns fiber optic cables into long, continuous sensing arrays, creating opportunities to study the ground and infrastructure through signals recorded along the fiber.

You will work with DAS datasets and a multidisciplinary team of geophysicists, data scientists, and engineers. Your work will combine geophysical insight with computational methods to answer a challenging question: what can DAS data reveal about the location and behavior of fiber already in the ground? You will have the freedom to define and pursue new approaches, test them on complex datasets, and connect algorithm development to practical measurements.

Responsibilities include:

• Develop and evaluate algorithms for locating and characterizing telecommunications fiber using DAS data.
• Apply machine learning, signal processing and geophysical methods to large, complex datasets.
• Interpret DAS measurements in the context of seismic wave propagation and subsurface structure.
• Work with scientists and engineers to test methods against real-world data.
• Present results through scientific publications, presentations, and technical reports.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Ph.D. in geophysics, seismology, applied mathematics, computer science, physics, engineering, or a related field.
• Research experience in computational methods for geophysical or other large scientific datasets.
• Experience with signal processing, time-series analysis, or high-performance computing.
• Strong programming skills in Python or a comparable scientific computing language.
• Publications or presentations demonstrating research productivity.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on an interdisciplinary research team.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to obtain Q clearance.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with seismic imaging, tomography, or related inverse problems.
• Machine learning applied to scientific data.
• Familiarity with DAS or other distributed sensing.
• High-performance computing experience.

Candidates do not need to have experience in every desired area. We welcome applicants who bring depth in one or more relevant fields and are excited to learn the others.

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:

• When submitting your application electronically to this position, a cover letter summarizing your skills, research areas of interest, and desire to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory is required.
• The appointment is for a duration of two years, with the possibility of a third-year extension based on performance evaluation.
• Candidates may be considered for a fellowship supported by the Center for Nonlinear Studies (CNLS).
• For more information about the Postdoc Program, go to https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php

Contact:

• Dr. Carly Donahue ([e-mail])

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. 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.

Clearance: Q

Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

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 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.