Undergraduate Researcher - Material Characterization and Model Calibration

What You Will Do

The Materials and Physical Data Group of the X-Computational Physics Division (XCP-5) seeks an undergraduate student research intern for the ASC-Physics and Engineering of Materials project. The research focuses on material characterization including plasticity model calibration, agentic AI workflow, and new material model development. All work will be performed within Impala, LANL's Bayesian calibration package.

The successful candidate will become familiar with the material models of interest, gather and process data, and perform calibration using machine-learning techniques, and validate the model prediction with integrated experimental data. If there is interest and availability, the selected candidate may expand the research scope into the agentic workflow building and refinement of the material model.

XCP-5 is an interdisciplinary group which develops, implements, and validates constitutive models (material strength, damage and failure, etc.), equations of state (EOS), and physical data libraries including opacities and nuclear cross-sections for use in large-scale simulation codes; additionally, some group members collaborate in the design and analysis of small-scale and integral validation experiments for material models and physical data. XCP-5 offers an exciting, flexible, scientifically challenging work environment with many opportunities to collaborate with the broader LANL scientific community.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

• A strong background in one or more of the following fields: physics, applied math, computer science, mechanical engineering, or materials science.
• Computing
  
  Experience:
  
  Experience with scientific computing and programming in languages such as Python, etc.
• Communication: Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills, with a willingness to collaborate with diverse scientific communities at LANL, nationally, and internationally.
• Education/
  
  Experience:
  
  Expected/completed undergraduate degree in physics, applied math, computer science or related field.

Desired

Qualifications:

• Previous Experience in physics, applied math, Bayesian calibration, mechanical engineering, computer science. It is desired that the candidate is skilled in either computational or simulation-based methods.
• Advanced Computing
  
  Experience:
  
  Familiarity with high-performance computing and Unix/Linux environments is desired. Experience in Python is also desired.
• Publication and Presentation Record: Demonstrated expertise in computational science through publications and technical presentations.
• Clearance: Non-US citizens are eligible for this position.

Note to Applicants: To be fully considered for the position, please include a cover letter detailing how your experience relates to each of the required and desired skills as applicable. Current official transcript is required.

For specific inquiries regarding the position, please contact Dr. Jee Yeon Plohr (jplohr) and Dr. Abby Hunter (ahunter).

Location: This position will be physically located in Los Alamos, NM.

Note to Applicants: Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of certain countries are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Located in 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 a variety of programs and opportunities, including medical insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating the employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. This requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

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. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Internal Applicants:
Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity…