What You Will Do
The Sigma Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a highly motivated individual for the position of postdoctoral research assistant with a focus on optimizing thermal spray coatings for a wide variety of materials and applications. This work involves the programing and operation of industrial robots. The selected candidate will work with a team to creatively apply their additive, coating, or robotic experience to a growing number of research programs, supporting production operations at NNSA sites, develop process solutions to spray coating challenges, and assist in maturing cold spray and thermal spray processes within the nuclear weapons complex. In this role you will take responsibility for assigned portions of projects with the support of a mentor and directly interface with a variety of internal and external collaborators, including universities, private industry, and other government laboratories.
This position resides on Sigma-2's Additive Manufacturing Team which oversees a wide variety of solutions to meet research and customer requirements, including: metal spray coatings, laser powder bed fusion, electron beam additive manufacturing, ceramic additive manufacturing, and associated processing. Team members often work in multiple disciplines and have the opportunity to learn new methods, as well as develop new techniques. Team research centers on many areas, including weapons, defense, aerospace, global security, nuclear energy, accelerator physics, fuel production methods, repair technologies, sensors, and more.
If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of additive manufacturing and have the technical expertise to make a real impact, we encourage you to apply. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, innovative team and contribute to the development of cutting-edge manufacturing solutions.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Hands on physical research experience specifically in the areas of thermal and/or cold spray coatings.
Experience with robotics (programming or operation).
Desire to work on production-centric manufacturing research and development activities.
Experience working in a team environment.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated by experience presenting research results at technical conferences, authoring peer-reviewed journal articles and ability to interact with colleagues.
Ability to obtain a Q clearance which normally requires U.S. Citizenship.
Desired Qualifications:
Self-motivated and independent researcher who has demonstrated experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team.
Experience with thermal spray or additive manufacturing equipment and operation.
Experience with mechanical property testing and characterization.
Experience using modeling and simulation codes such as C++, Abaqus, Ansys, Comsol or similar.
Experience with non-destructive examination techniques, such as radiographic testing, ultrasonic testing, electromagnetic testing, penetrant testing, proof testing, or similar.
Demonstrated self-starter with the ability to effectively work in a team environment.
Education: Doctoral Degree in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Welding Engineering or a related field.
Notes to Applicants
When submitting your application electronically to this vacancy, please submit the following:
1) A cover letter summarizing your skills, research areas of interest, and desire to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
2) A curriculum vitae or résumé that contains the following information: education, major, GPA, relevant work experience, relevant technical skills.
3) A list of professional references.
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 (https://int.lanl.gov/org/ddops/oma/prime-contract-management/applicable-directives/_assets/docs/DOE-O-206.2-Chg-2-LtdChg-Identity,-Credential,-and-Access-Management-ICAM-1.pdf) . 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 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-border-a-chg1-ltdchg/@@images/file) for additional information.
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 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) 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.