Modeling Manufacturing Postdoctoral Research Associate

What You Will Do

Sigma Division is seeking postdoctoral candidates to work on optimization for a wide range of manufacturing processes and computational model development. Sigma Division is a manufacturing research and development organization with capabilities including a foundry, machine shop, thermal mechanical processing, welding, electrochemistry, characterization, and additive manufacturing. All these capabilities present unique modeling opportunities, including material informatics to develop process‑structure‑property relationships, finite element modeling, and/or image processing.

There is a specific need for electrochemical process modeling for electrode position/electropolishing/electro‑machining using commercial, off‑the‑shelf software packages (e.g. COMSOL). Projects could also involve AI/ML‑guided process experimentation and process monitoring. Specific project goals will stem from the candidate's interest, mission needs within the team, and the availability of funding. An interest in combining computational/modeling approaches with experimental work is of interest.

A postdoctoral researcher is expected to help guide the overall technical direction of their project(s) with their mentor. Candidates should be capable of conducting independent research in small teams and be able to communicate their findings in a way that enables future applications.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

• Extensive hands‑on experience with electroplating and/or electropolishing techniques and processes.
• Strong background in electrochemistry, including knowledge of electrochemical kinetics, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena.
• Proficiency in operating and troubleshooting electroplating equipment such as plating baths, power supplies, and analytical instruments.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaborate effectively in a team environment.
• Ability to work successfully in a complex regulatory environment and complex experimental facility.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral) as demonstrated by experience presenting research results at technical conferences and authoring peer‑reviewed journal articles.
• Demonstrated experience working in a team environment.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance which normally requires U.S. Citizenship.

Education/

Experience:

Ph.D. in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or a related field completed within the last five years, or soon to be completed, is required.

• Experience with material informatics, including data organization, parsing, and analysis to develop process‑structure‑property relationships.
• Experience in characterizing electroplated coatings and films using techniques like SEM, XRD, XPS, and electrochemical testing.
• Experience with finite element modeling with preference for electrochemical modeling; however thermal or other related research areas will be considered.
• Experience with AI/ML for experimental materials development/discovery.
• Image analysis or other computational expertise to accelerate material process is a plus.
• Experience with high‑performance computing platforms is a plus.

When submitting your application electronically to this vacancy, the following are required:

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

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), the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation who are not U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and…