Senior/Principal Diagnostic Scientist - X-ray Instrumentation, Onsite

Sandia Corporation; Albuquerque (NM); On-site; USD 118,000 - 236,000; Full time

Job summary

Sandia National Laboratories located in Albuquerque, NM seeks a highly motivated scientist to lead the development of advanced x-ray imaging and spectroscopy instrumentation for Z Machine experiments. Work will involve collaboration across the Pulsed Power Sciences Center to push the frontiers of high-energy-density physics and to maintain leadership in x-ray instrumentation.

The role requires a PhD or equivalent, the ability to obtain DOE clearance, and frequent collaboration with

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE clearance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of novel x-ray diagnostics for Z Machine experiments.
• Analyze x-ray imaging data to extract physical insights into hot plasma behavior.
• Develop and apply calibration techniques for existing and new x-ray diagnostics.
• Troubleshoot deployed systems and ensure high-quality experimental data.

Skills

Bachelor's degree

DOE clearance

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline

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.

Location: Albuquerque, NM

Full-Time

Regular

What Your Job Will Be Like

The X-ray Diagnostics and Experimental Systems group is seeking a highly motivated and innovative scientist to lead the development of advanced x-ray imaging and spectroscopy instrumentation for experiments conducted on the Z Machine the world's most powerful pulsed-power facility.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in high-energy-density (HED) physics, working closely with a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technologists. This position will involve close collaboration across several organizations within the Pulsed Power Sciences Center at Sandia to lead the development of new x-ray imaging and spectroscopic diagnostics aimed at addressing key questions about the hot plasmas generated with the Z-machine, as well maintain our Center's leadership in advancing x-ray instrumentation across the high-energy-density (HED) physics community.

On any given day, you may be called to:

• Lead the design, development, and deployment of novel x-ray diagnostics for Z Machine experiments.
• Analyze x-ray imaging and spectroscopic data to extract physical insights into hot plasma behavior.
• Develop and apply calibration techniques for existing and new x-ray diagnostics
• Troubleshoot deployed systems and ensure the delivery of high-quality experimental data.
• Collaborate across organizations within the Pulsed Power Sciences Center and with external partners.
• Present your research at national and international conferences.
• Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Travel occasionally (2 - 3 weeks per year) for collaboration or conference participation.

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

Salary Range

$117,500 - $235,700

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

Qualifications We Require

• A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five (5) years of directly relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.

Qualifications We Desire

The ideal R&D S&E Physics candidate for Sandia National Laboratories will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Physics or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience preparing research for dissemination through presentations at national conferences and peer‑reviewed publications in top journals.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities of both projects and teams and the ability to work in loosely defined areas with minimal direction while maintaining vision for the overall mission.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• PhD in plasma physics, electrical engineering, nuclear physics or related STEM field.
• Experience in designing and fielding x-ray imaging and/or x-ray spectroscopy instrumentation for 1 to 100 keV
• Experience as principal investigator for experimental campaigns on small‑scale, university HED facilities or large facilities such as Omega, Z, or NIF.
• Experience with calibrating and analyzing x-ray spectral data.
• Knowledge of atomic physics in hot plasmas.
• Strong publication and presentation record.
• Ability to collaborate across a broad range of organizations such as universities, private industry, and other national laboratories x-rays.

About Our Team

The X-ray Diagnostics and Experimental Systems department (01681) is within Pulsed Power Sciences Center at Sandia National Laboratories. We collaborate closely with principal investigators across the center and support experiments on the Z-machine by developing and fielding novel x-ray diagnostics and detectors. This team is part of the Radiation, Electrical and High Energy Density Science (REHEDS) Research Foundation at Sandia.

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.