Los Alamos National Laboratory

What You Will Do

The Welding & Joining (W&J) team is seeking postdoctoral candidates to work on computational modeling/simulation for fundamental and applied welding & joining and brazing applications. Applicants with strong experimental backgrounds in welding & joining, brazing, and related additive manufacturing processes will also be considered, especially in the context of comparisons with and validation of computational modeling/simulation. You will be an integral member of the W&J team, which supports a diverse program of high energy density welding, semi-automatic arc welding, brazing, and solid-state welding. Research opportunities include process modeling in computational fluid dynamics, finite element analysis, or related materials modeling (e.g., damage modeling) and possibly related experiments, depending upon the background of the successful applicant(s). Specific project goals will be selected based on the candidate's interests and available projects and funding.

The successful applicant(s) will be expected, alongside their mentor, to lead research projects within a small team environment, communicate and deliver results, and identify future directions or applications for their findings. The candidate(s) will work with their mentor and the W&J team, as well as other teams in Sigma division and beyond to solve manufacturing challenges, provide metallurgical guidance, and lead the way in cutting edge welding and joining processing.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Demonstrated background in fundamental or applied welding, joining, brazing, additive manufacturing, materials science, process modeling, computer programming, or related fields.
• Assists in the development of new methods, techniques or approaches to address critical technical problems.
• Contribute to and authors technical papers for publishing in peer-reviewed journals, as well as deliver conference presentations at technical conferences.
• Works within a team to write proposals for R&D funding.
• Ability to work successfully in a complex regulatory environment and experimental facility.
• Demonstrated experience working in a team environment.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance which normally requires U.S. Citizenship

Education/Experience: Ph.D. in engineering, metallurgical and materials engineering, materials science, or a related field completed within the last five years, or soon to be completed, is required.

• Self-motivated and independent researcher who has demonstrated experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Experience with specific modeling software or code languages such as Abaqus, Flow3D, Python, COMSOL, or experience with AI/ML, is a plus.
• Experience with computer data acquisition systems or the advanced application of sensor technologies on welding or additive manufacturing equipment.
• Experience working with radiological or hazardous materials.
• Formal training or hands-on experience in any of the following areas: arc welding (gas tungsten or gas metal arc welding), brazing, solid state welding, other welding/joining methods, heat treatment, casting, machining, forging, and/or other metal fabrication using manual or computer numerically controlled equipment.

Desired Qualifications:

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

Note to Applicants:

• When submitting your application electronically to this vacancy, the following are required for the submission.
• A cover letter summarizing your skills, research areas of interest, and desire to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory
• A curriculum vitae or résumé that contains the following information: education, major, GPA, relevant work experience, relevant technical skills
• A list of professional references

Where You Will Work

Sigma Division focuses on materials science and engineering, emphasizing manufacturing science and research in support of the experimental testing program at Los Alamos. The Division is a service-oriented capability that supports a broad customer base, both internal and external to LANL, with high quality, one of a kind prototype components. The work ranges from unclassified to TS/SCI level security and covers all materials from hydrogen to uranium on the periodic chart.

Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. LANL enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

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

Note to Applicants:

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-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) 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.

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 childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO 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. 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.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

• 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 for additional information.

426.2: This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

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.

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 Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

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 imposed by federal, state, and local 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 (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.

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