Sigma-1 Process Modeling Post-Doctoral Research Associate

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to develop and apply computational models related to manufacturing processes. The successful candidate will work closely with interdisciplinary teams on projects involving casting, heat treatment, and material compatibility, ensuring that models are validated against experimental data.

The role requires experience in computational modeling, strong communication skills, and the ability to conduct independent research. An emphasis on teamwork and a PhD in a relevant field are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience developing and validating computational models for materials or manufacturing processes.
• Strong written and oral communication skills for documenting methods and presenting findings.
• Ability to work effectively in teams while also conducting independent research.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply computational models for manufacturing process development.
• Work with interdisciplinary teams to validate models against experimental data.
• Communicate results and support the handoff of validated models to future projects.

Skills

Computational simulation modeling

Programming with Python

Finite element analysis

Thermal-mechanical deformation

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

PhD in relevant field

Tools

Abaqus

ANSYS

COMSOL

MATLAB

Python

Job description

What You Will Do

Sigma Division is seeking postdoctoral candidates to develop and apply computational models for manufacturing process development, optimization, materials compatibility, and lifetime prediction. This position supports a broad range of metals and materials processing efforts, with a primary emphasis on casting, heat treatment, thermal‑mechanical distortion, and process‑structure‑property relationships. The successful candidate will work with a mentor and interdisciplinary teams of scientists, engineers, technicians, and technologists to build predictive models, validate those models against experimental data, and translate results into actionable guidance for Los Alamos National Laboratory mission programs.

• Metal casting, solidification dynamics, and heat‑transfer‑driven process behavior
• Casting and heat‑treatment distortion, residual stress, and thermal‑mechanical deformation
• Mass transfer, fluid flow, gas‑solid interactions, and diffusion modeling
• Heat treatment response, microstructure evolution, thermodynamics, and kinetics
• Electrochemical forming, etching, corrosion, and related materials compatibility phenomena
• Coupling of computational simulation with experimental process data for model validation and process optimization

The postdoctoral researcher will be expected to help guide the technical direction of their project with their mentor, conduct independent research in small teams, communicate results, and support the handoff of validated models to future applications.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Experience developing, implementing, and validating computational simulation models for materials, manufacturing processes, or coupled physical phenomena.
• Experience with multiphysics, finite element, molecular dynamics, CFD, or related process modeling tools such as Abaqus, ANSYS, COMSOL, STAR‑CCM+, Flow3D, OpenFOAM, MOOSE, LAMMPS, MATLAB, Python‑based simulation workflows, or comparable software.
• Programming or scripting experience, preferably with Python, C++, Java, MATLAB, or a comparable language.
• Technical knowledge relevant to heat transfer, solidification, diffusion, fluid flow, thermodynamics, kinetics, microstructure evolution, thermal‑mechanical deformation, residual stress, corrosion, or materials compatibility.
• Ability to conduct independent research while working effectively as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including documentation of methods and presentation of findings.
• Demonstrated potential to publish research in peer‑reviewed journals and present at conferences.
• Experience working successfully in a complex regulatory experimental environment.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance; U.S. citizenship is required.

Desired Qualifications

• Research experience in casting, heat treatment, thermal‑mechanical distortion, residual stress prediction, or process modeling for metallic materials.
• Experience coupling simulation results with experimental data for calibration, validation, uncertainty quantification, or process optimization.
• Experience with gas‑solid interaction, diffusion, materials compatibility, corrosion, or lifetime prediction models.
• Experience using AI, machine learning, surrogate modeling, or optimization methods with physics‑based simulation.
• Experience with commercial or open‑source engineering tools such as COMSOL, Abaqus, STAR‑CCM+, Flow3D, OpenFOAM, MOOSE, LAMMPS, MATLAB, or CAD software.
• Hands‑on or collaborative experience with manufacturing or materials‑processing experiments.
• Record of working safely and productively in regulated experimental environments.
• Self‑motivated research style and a record of contributing effectively within interdisciplinary teams.
• Active DOE Q clearance or other active federal security clearance.

Work Location

Los Alamos, NM (onsite).

Clearance

The position requires a Q clearance. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain it. Additional access authorization may apply.

Eligibility

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not lawful permanent residents, are prohibited from accessing facilities that support national security at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Additional Information

The laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new‑employment drug test. 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 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 of federal, state, and local laws. The Laboratory is committed to making the workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations upon request.