EFRC-Modeling Postdoctoral Appointee

Posting Duration

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.

What Your Job Will Be Like

Are you passionate about your work and dream of utilizing state-of-the-art facilities to explore solutions? You could join a hardworking and dedicated team that helps tackle some of the most difficult issues facing our nation's security.

The Nanoscale Sciences Department has a Postdoctoral position available immediately for the quantum-based calculations and molecular dynamics simulations of gas adsorption and reactivity within nanoporous materials pores. We have a highly dedicated and multidisciplinary team collaborating with synthesis and characterization R&D activities. The selected candidate needs to be self-motivated and work effectively in group settings. You would participate in a dynamic R&D group, with opportunities for growing your skill set and building leadership opportunities. This experience will provide you an exciting opportunity for high impact journal publication activity, research visibility, career development, and exposure to research in service to the nation.

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

• Design, perform, and analyze molecular scale simulations of nanoporous materials
• Develop models of functional materials for separation and adsorption of gases
• Write research manuscripts, as well as attend and present at technical conferences and/or program meetings

Qualifications We Require

• PhD in a relevant area of Chemistry, Materials Science, Physics, Chemical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering
• Experience with quantum atomistic simulations theory, methodologies, and software (periodic or gas phase)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, as evidenced by a record of publication of results in peer-reviewed journals and external presentations at professional scientific conferences

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with quantum and atomistic simulations of nanoporous materials, functional materials, and/or catalysts
• Experience with running simulations on high-performance computing platforms and developing post-processing codes
• Proven record of collaborations

Position Information

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.

About Our Team

The Geochemistry Department has expertise in three areas: 1) molecular-scale modeling, 2)experimental geochemistry, and 3) applied environmental/chemical engineering. We tackle geosciences-related problems with an application for carbon sequestration, unconventional oil and gas recovery, nuclear waste management, and environmental remediation. In addition, we reach beyond the subsurface environment looking at nuclear weapons applications and air-borne contaminant detection and removal. Program focus is currently on chemical effects on fracture initiation and propagation, heterogeneous redox chemistry on clay mineral surfaces, coupled geochemistry and geomechanics in shales, and permeable reactive barriers for soil radionuclide remediation. Computing facilities for molecular modeling include a cluster (CPU nodes, GPU nodes) maintained by the Geochemistry Department as well as the Sandia High Performance Computing. In addition, we have 3,000 square feet of laboratory space that includes the following analytical equipment: XRD, FTIR, ICP-MS, ICP-OES, TOF-MS, and SEM.

About Sandia
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 vacations, 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.

Security Clearance

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.

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.

EEO

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.