Radiation Transport Postdoctoral Research Associate

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

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Free basic life and disability insurance

Paid childbirth and parental leave

Award-winning 401(k) with matching contributions

Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and time off

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Extensive relocation packages

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a postdoctoral researcher for its Radiation Transport Team. This role involves developing computational transport methods and software as part of a collaborative group focused on radiation transport and related fields. Candidates are required to have a Ph.D. in nuclear engineering or physics, excellent programming skills, and the ability to communicate effectively. The position is located onsite in beautiful Los Alamos, New Mexico, and includes numerous benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in nuclear engineering, physics, or a related field soon to be completed or completed within the last five years.
• Demonstrated ability to publish in the relevant academic journals.
• Experience with parallel programming models such as MPI and threading.

Responsibilities

• Develop computational transport methods and software for research.
• Analyze and provide creative solutions for technically complex problems.
• Deliver software products in radiation transport and high energy-density physics.

Skills

Theoretical and numerical methods for radiation transport

Software development for radiation transport

Excellent scientific programming skills

Effective interpersonal skills

Education

Ph.D. in nuclear engineering, physics, or related field

Tools

Python

C/C++

Fortran

Job description

Overview

The Radiation Transport Team within the Computational Physics and Methods group (CAI-2) is seeking an outstanding candidate for a postdoctoral position developing computational transport methods and software. In collaboration with their future mentor, they will propose a well-defined research plan that will allow them to develop new skills and knowledge and produce computational methods and results that can be published in the scientific literature and presented at technical conferences.

CAI-2 is a dynamic, collaborative group engaged in the entire computational-physics workflow, from developing novel methods to delivering production-grade single- and multi-physics codes. We engage in fundamental and applied research across diverse fields, including radiation transport, fluid dynamics and turbulent flows, metal casting and advanced manufacturing, Earth systems, astrophysics and plasma physics. The Radiation Transport Team provides subject matter expertise and production software products in the areas of linear and nonlinear neutral particle transport (neutron/gamma, thermal X-rays), charged particle transport, and high energy-density physics.

What You Need / Responsibilities

Minimum Job Requirements:

Technical Expertise

• Theoretical and numerical methods for radiation transport
• Software development for radiation transport
• Applications of transport methods and codes
• Computational algorithm development

Communication

Effective interpersonal skills, as well as excellent oral and written communications skills. Demonstrated ability to publish in the relevant academic journals.

Problem Solving

Demonstrated ability to analyze and provide creative solutions for technically complex problems.

Computing

Excellent scientific programming skills and experience with languages such as Python, C/C++, and/or Fortran for scientific applications. Ability to work and communicate effectively in a collaborative software development environment.

Clearance

Eligible to apply for a DOE Q clearance.

Education/Experience: Ph.D. in nuclear engineering, physics, or a related field soon to be completed or completed within the last five years.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with parallel programming models using bulk-synchronous and asynchronous (e.g., MPI, threading) parallelism and modern heterogeneous computing architectures (e.g., GPUs)
• Experience with modern task-based parallel programming models
• Experience with modern software development techniques, i.e., compilers, computer hardware design, portability, continuous integration, unit testing, and regression testing
• Experience in other related science and application areas beyond those mentioned above, e.g., turbulence, plasma physics, thermal hydraulics, radiation health physics, radiation detection, radiation-hydrodynamics, multiphase flow, materials science
• Active DOE Q clearance

Work Location & Additional Details

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:

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People\'s Republic of China—including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau—as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People\'s Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

For full consideration, please submit a CV, detailed cover letter describing how you satisfy the job requirements and contact information for three professional references familiar with your work. Contact Erin Davis ([e-mail]) and/or Joe Zerr ([e-mail]) for more details about this position.

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)

Compliance & Equal Opportunity

Directive 206.2: Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. This applies to U.S. citizens; 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 and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. U.S. citizenship is typically required to obtain a Q clearance. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required.

• 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 remains illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment.

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. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request ([e-mail]).

How to Apply: Login to Your Account to Complete the Application Process. Follow the LANL instructions to activate/create a LANL Jobs account and apply for this position. If you experience technical issues, email [e-mail] for assistance.