What You Will DoMST-8 is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to support the development of an ion-beam-driven neutron irradiation capability for materials and diagnostics applications. The successful candidate will contribute to the design, commissioning, calibration, and operation of a proton-on-lithium neutron source with emphasis on achieving controlled neutron fluxes for in situ irradiation experiments.
The postdoctoral researcher will work as part of a multidisciplinary team involving ion beam systems, neutron target design, accelerator operations, scanning electron microscopy, neutron diagnostics, software control, and experiment safety authorization. The position will include hands-on experimental work, system integration, data analysis, documentation, and reporting.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Demonstrated experimental experience with ion sources, ion beamlines, accelerator facilities, ion source test stands, or related charged-particle beam systems.
- Demonstrated experience using beam diagnostics, which may include Faraday cups, beam current monitors, profile monitors, scintillators, phosphor screens, emittance diagnostics, energy analyzers, or related instrumentation.
- Knowledge of ion-beam interactions with targets, beam transport, accelerator operations, vacuum systems, high-voltage systems, or beamline control systems.
- Ability to design, execute, document, and analyze complex experiments involving beam delivery, target response, radiation production, or diagnostic calibration.
- Demonstrated ability to meet technical milestones, project deliverables, and sponsor expectations in a research or development environment.
Desired Qualifications:- Experience with accelerator-based neutron production, especially proton-on-lithium or other light-ion-induced neutron reactions.
- Experience with lithium, lithium compounds, or other neutron production target materials, including target fabrication, thermal management, target degradation, or beam-power handling.
- Experience measuring neutron flux, neutron spectra, or radiation fields using neutron detectors, activation foils, scintillators, proportional counters, Bonner spheres, or related diagnostics.
- Experience with radiation transport, activation, or detector-response modeling using tools such as MCNP, GEANT4, PHITS, FLUKA, SRIM/TRIM, COMSOL, or similar software.
- Experience developing software for experimental control, data acquisition, instrument synchronization, or automation using Python, LabVIEW, EPICS, MATLAB, C/C++, or related tools.
- Experience with scanning electron microscopy, in situ microscopy, materials irradiation, radiation damage, polymers, energetic materials, or microstructural characterization.
Education: Ph.D. in accelerator physics, nuclear engineering, experimental physics, materials science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, applied physics, or a closely related field.
Work Environment: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:Candidates may be considered for a Director's Fellowship and outstanding candidates may be considered for the prestigious Marie Curie, Richard P. Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, or Frederick Reines Fellowships.
For general information to the Postdoc Program go to http://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php.
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 WorkLocated 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 DetailsDirective 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.
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.