Postdoctoral Researcher

Overview

The Nuclear Materials Science (MST-16) group at the Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks outstanding candidates with strong theoretical and practical backgrounds in mechanical testing and processing-microstructure-property relationships in metallic materials. As a member of the Dynamic and Mechanical Testing (DMT) team in MST-16, the successful candidate will support two key projects scheduled for funding in the upcoming fiscal years. The research focuses on mechanical characterization of materials at both small and bulk scales, with an emphasis on nano-indentation techniques and the processing-microstructure-property relationships in molybdenum-based alloys.

• Conduct nano-indentation testing including standard nano-indentation, creep testing via nano-indentation, strain-rate jump tests, and spherical indentation for stress-strain characterization.
• Conduct bulk mechanical testing including quasi-static and dynamic tension/compression tests.
• Analyze and compare mechanical tests data across scales.
• Determine protocols for using nano-indentation as a reliable proxy for mechanical behavior.
• Prepare and section alloy samples for testing and perform controlled heat treatments and thermal process simulations.
• Correlate mechanical performance with thermal processing windows and certification specs.
• Contribute to the development of scientific proposals/programs and serve as a mentor for students involved in these programs.
• Maintain compliance with safety, security, and environmental regulations.
• Serve as a subject matter expert within a team to help guide the future development of capabilities.
• Contribute to intellectual property such as technical reports and relevant publications in scientific journals.
• Author papers in peer reviewed scientific journals and present work at scientific conferences.

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with nano-indentation and mechanical testing.
• Strong understanding of deformation mechanisms in metals.
• Proficiency in data analysis and interpretation of mechanical property results.
• Demonstrated experience in conducting original scientific research through peer reviewed publication record.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with high-temperature materials or refractory alloys.
• Familiarity with spherical indentation modeling and interpretation.
• Background in metallography and thermal treatments.
• Experience in computer programming using modern computing languages.
• Experience with analytical electron microscopy methods (SEM, EDS, EBSD).
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment and interact with people with a variety of expertise.

(Can perform with or without reasonable accommodation.)

Onsite in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Competitive salaries based on the date the PhD degree requirements were completed, or the degree was awarded. Starting salary for a new graduate is currently $97k.

For full consideration, your application must include a cover letter that addresses how you meet the required and desired skills and a full resume. For more information on the Postdoc program at LANL, please refer to the LANL careers page.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, certain nationalities are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes LANL.

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 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…