What You Will Do

MST-8 is seeking postdoctoral candidates for a position focusing on the measurement of thermomechanical creep of ceramic nuclear fuels and evaluating the fundamental structure, processing, and property relations of the fuel systems. Areas of interest pertain to accident tolerant fuels, nuclear thermal propulsion, and microreactor deployment. The proposed investigation will evaluate the high temperature mechanical response using a newly developed high temperature load frame and integrate closely with an integrated modeling and experimental team to validate polycrystalline creep models.

MST-8 supports a variety of nuclear energy related programs and provides world-leading, innovative, and agile materials and technology solutions for national security missions. The selected candidate will play a key role in the fabrication, property measurement, and microstructure characterization of materials. They will be expected to collaborate with scientists in different groups/divisions. The core of the proposed work is based around experimental investigations and publications pertaining to the development and characterization of nuclear fuels, but knowledge/experience with working in a glove box environment, ceramic processing, and familiarity with thermoanalytical equipment is a plus.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Nuclear Engineering or related fields completed within the last five years or soon to be completed

• Experience in creep or load frame measurements

• Experience with LabView, MatLab, or equivalent data programming language

• Excellent publication record in the field of materials science and engineering or nuclear engineering

• Very good written and oral communication skills

• Strong motivation and ability to work independently

• Good interpersonal and communication skills

• Ability to work productively on multiple projects and interact effectively with a variety of research and development organizations

• Ability to work and collaborate effectively in a small team

Training/Certifications: N/A

Education/Experience: Ph.D. in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Nuclear Engineering or related fields completed within the last five years or soon to be completed

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with radioactive materials

• Experience with digital image correlation (DIC) or resonant ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS)

• Experience in oxide or non-oxide ceramic processing and characterization

• Experience with thermophysical property measurements (LFA, DIL, DSC etc.)

• Microstructural characterization by electron microscopy and diffraction methods

• Experience with ceramics processing and sintering

• Experience working in a glove box and with air sensitive materials

Work Location: The work location for this position is located in Los Alamos, NM.

Salary: Competitive salaries are based on the date the PhD degree requirements were completed or the degree was awarded. Starting salary for a new graduate is currently $94,500. For more information go to Postdoc Program website at https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php

Note to Applicants:

In addition to applying, interested candidates must send their CV, publication list, a brief statement of research interests, and a list of three references to Dr. Joshua White, jtwhite@lanl.gov and Dr. Scarlett Widgeon Paisner, scarlettw@lanl.gov

Candidates may be considered for a Director's Fellowship and outstanding candidates may be considered for the prestigious Marie Curie, Richard P. Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, or Frederick Reines Fellowships. For more information to the Postdoc Programs at LANL, go to http://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php

Work Schedule: LANL on-site, Monday through Friday (9/80 available)

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 maternity and parental leave

• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

• Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, 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 (https://directives.nnsa.doe.gov/supplemental-directive/sd-0206-0002) . 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.

*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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-BOrder-chg1-pgchg) for additional information.

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.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to 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 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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.

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