Postdoctoral Appointee - Computational Materials Science & Aging of Metallic Systems, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to join our multidisciplinary team at the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (CINT). You will lead efforts in developing and applying advanced computational models to understand the long-term aging and reliability of metallic materials. Our work focuses on the evolution of microstructures and the degradation of mechanical properties under fracture and fatigue.

In this role, you will leverage high-performance computing (HPC) environments to simulate complex material behaviors across scales. You will be expected to collaborate closely with experimentalists to validate models and provide insights into the fundamental mechanisms of materials aging. This position requires being located (or relocating) near Albuquerque, New Mexico, to work at Sandia National Laboratories and engage in person with our collaborative research environment.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Conduct high-fidelity simulations of grain boundaries and microstructural evolution in metallic systems using Molecular Dynamics (MD), Phase Field, or Discrete Dislocation Dynamics (DDD).
• Develop and implement sophisticated analysis routines to extract physical insights from large-scale simulation datasets.
• Collaborate with a diverse team of scientists across Sandia and CINT to integrate computational findings with experimental characterization and testing workflows.
• Advance the state-of-the-art by integrating AI/ML and Scientific Machine Learning (SciML) strategies into traditional materials modeling frameworks.
• Publish research in high-impact technical journals and present your findings at premier international conferences.
• Contribute to the development of research proposals and the strategic direction of materials reliability efforts within the group.
  
  Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

• A PhD in Materials Science, Applied Mathematics, Applied Physics, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field conferred within 5 years of employment.
• Experience with at least one of the following:
  • Molecular Dynamics (MD), Phase Field modeling, or Discrete Dislocation Dynamics (DDD).
• Proven expertise in the rigorous analysis and post-processing of computational materials data.
• A strong record of research productivity as evidenced by peer-reviewed scientific publications and presentations.

• Experience or strong interest in Scientific Machine Learning (SciML), including the development of surrogate models, physics-informed neural networks (PINNs), or automated feature extraction for materials science.
• Demonstrated experience simulating metallic microstructures or grain boundaries using at least one of the following: Molecular Dynamics (MD), Phase Field modeling, or Discrete Dislocation Dynamics (DDD).
• Specific research experience working with metallic systems, particularly in the context of aging, defect evolution, or mechanical reliability.
• Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g., Python, C++, or Fortran) and experience working in massively parallel computing environments (HPC).
• Experience with standard materials modeling codes such as LAMMPS or similar open-source frameworks.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, team-oriented environment.

Our department supports the Center for Integrated Nanotechnology (CINT). CINT is a Department of Energy/Office of Science Nanoscale Science Research Center operating as a national user facility devoted to establishing the scientific principles that govern the design, performance, and integration of nanoscale materials. Through its core facility in Albuquerque and gateway facility in Los Alamos, CINT provides users from academia, industry, and government labs open access to the tools and expertise needed to explore the continuum from scientific discovery to the integration of nanostructures into the micro- and macro world. CINT is an equal partnership between Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.

If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.

Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.