Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Geoscience and Volcanic Hazards

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Relocation assistance

401(k) matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and PTO

Onsite facilities

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM invites outstanding postdoctoral candidates to join the Earth and Environmental Sciences Division to advance volcanic hazard assessments and subsurface system analyses. The role combines computational modeling, data integration, and uncertainty quantification to support national security science.

The position emphasizes publication-driven research, multidisciplinary collaboration, and contributing to program development across EES mission areas.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Geology, Volcanology, Geological Engineering, Hydrology, Atmospheric Science, Applied Mathematics, Computational Science, or related field
• Demonstrated potential for peer-reviewed publication
• Strong programming and data-analysis skills
• Experience with uncertainty quantification and probabilistic methods is a plus
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team environment

Responsibilities

• Conduct computational geoscience research on volcanic and subsurface hazards
• Develop predictive models and uncertainty quantification frameworks
• Analyze diverse geologic, geophysical, geochemical, atmospheric, and remote-sensing data
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at conferences
• Collaborate with DOE/NNSA programs and laboratory mission areas
• Contribute to program development and sponsored research across EES

Skills

Computational geoscience

Geophysics

Geology

Natural hazards

Subsurface science

Programming: Python

Programming: Julia

Programming: R

Programming: C++

Programming: Fortran

Education

Ph.D. in Geology or related field

Tools

Python

Julia

R

C++

Fortran

Job description

What You Will Do

Join a dynamic team of scientists tackling some of the most pressing energy and environmental challenges of our time. The Earth and Environmental Sciences Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking outstanding postdoctoral candidates at the intersection of computational geoscience, geologic hazards, and subsurface systems. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team developing predictive models and integrated assessments for complex Earth systems. An initial research emphasis will be advancing volcanic hazard assessments relevant to Laboratory facilities and operations, with particular attention to the nearby Jemez Mountains-Valles Caldera region and other volcanic sources in northern New Mexico. The position also offers opportunities to contribute to broader EES research and mission-driven programs in natural hazards, subsurface energy systems, and infrastructure resilience -work that directly supports the Laboratory's mission of solving national security challenges through cutting-edge scientific innovation.

The position will combine computational and probabilistic modeling, geologic and geophysical data analysis, and uncertainty quantification. The successful candidate will have opportunities to develop publication-driven research while also contributing to programmatic work supporting Laboratory and DOE/NNSA needs. Specific research directions may include:

• Developing a regional volcanic source catalog and tectono-magmatic framework for volcanic centers that could plausibly affect Los Alamos
• Developing scenario-based and probabilistic models of tephra fallout, lava flows, pyroclastic density currents, lahars, and coupled or cascading volcanic hazards
• Integrating geologic, geophysical, geochemical, atmospheric, and remote-sensing observations into site-specific hazard assessments
• Applying uncertainty quantification, statistical methods, machine learning, and high-performance computing to complex geoscience problems
• Investigating thermal, hydrologic, mechanical, and chemical processes in volcanic, geothermal, and other subsurface systems
• Contributing to multidisciplinary program development and sponsored research across EES mission areas

You will publish results in peer-reviewed journals, present work at national and international conferences, and collaborate within multidisciplinary research teams. The position offers substantial latitude to help shape a growing volcanic hazards capability while building connections to established EES programs in computational geoscience, coupled-process modeling, energy and subsurface systems, and national security science.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Computational geoscience, geophysics, geology, geological engineering, natural hazards, or subsurface science
• Numerical, statistical, or probabilistic modeling of Earth systems
• Scientific programming using languages such as Python, Julia, R, C++, or Fortran
• Analysis and synthesis of complex geologic, geophysical, geochemical, atmospheric, or geospatial datasets
• Demonstrated potential for peer-reviewed publication
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English, demonstrated through the ability to clearly convey complex technical information
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment

Desired Qualifications:

• Volcanic or other geologic hazard assessment
• Tephra dispersal, gravity-driven flow, or coupled-process modeling
• Probabilistic hazard assessment, event-tree methods, Bayesian analysis, or uncertainty quantification
• Stratigraphy, geochronology, or field geology
• GIS, remote sensing, or spatial data analysis
• Coupled thermal, hydrologic, mechanical, and chemical process modeling
• Machine learning or reduced order models applied to geoscience
• High-performance computing, data and model visualization
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance

Education

A Ph.D. in Geology, Volcanology, Geological Engineering, Hydrology, Atmospheric Science, Applied Mathematics, Computational Science, or a related field is required. The candidate must have completed all Ph.D. requirements by commencement of the appointment and be within 5 years of Ph.D. completion.

Work Environment

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.

Contact

If you have any specific questions, contact Dr. Matthew Sweeney ([e-mail]).

Compensation and Appointment

Initial postdoctoral appointments are for two years and are renewable for a third year. Salaries are competitive and commensurate with experience. Outstanding candidates may be eligible for a LANL Director's Fellowship, or one of the prestigious named fellowships: Marie Curie, Richard P. Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, or Frederick Reines.

Where You Will Work

Located in the mountains of northern New Mexico near Santa Fe, Los Alamos National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. The Earth and Environmental Sciences Division conducts world-leading research on subsurface systems, climate, and environmental processes. The CHESS team offers a dynamic and collaborative research environment with access to world-class computational resources, including leadership-class supercomputing facilities.

Benefits

• 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.

No Clearance

Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

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 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.