What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Appointee - High Energy Density (HED) Laser Scientist, Onsite position at Sandia National Laboratories?
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 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.
What Your Job Will Be Like
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to collaborate on developing new applications of high-power lasers for High Energy Density Plasma (HEDP) and Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) experiments on the Z Pulsed Power facility. Research opportunities exist in the areas of X-ray radiography, laser-driven X-ray and neutron sources, X-ray diffraction, advanced plasma diagnostics, and high-intensity laser-plasma interactions. The research involves hands-on work in our laser facility and support labs setting up and testing specialized plasma diagnostics; characterizing and aligning laser targets; and performing high-power laser experiments.
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Conduct innovative HEDP and ICF experiments on the Z-Beamlet and Z-Petawatt laser systems.
- Create and operate novel diagnostic instruments.
- Develop and apply advanced data analysis methods and algorithms.
- Collaborate with visiting scientists and students on designing and performing HED laser experiments.
- Present at national and international conferences and document your research in peer reviewed journals.
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.
Qualifications We Require
- Ph.D. in Physics, Applied Physics, or related discipline
- Experience performing HED and/or ICF laser experiments
- You have a record of publication and innovation, as evidenced by peer-reviewed journals and external presentations at appropriate scientific conferences
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q Security Clearance
Qualifications We Desire
- Experience with high-energy and large-aperture lasers
- Experience in X-ray and particle beam diagnostics design, construction, and fielding
- Experience with cryogenic laser targets
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team of experimental and computational scientists, engineers, and technologists
- Demonstrated history of successful multi-institution collaborations
About Our Team
The Laser Operations & Engineering Department is responsible for developing and applying laser-produced x-ray sources and detectors to support high-energy-density science experiments performed on Sandia’s Z pulsed-power facility. The department is composed of a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, and technologists that work together in a collaborative environment to support scientists from around the world that work on Z to pursue research in the areas of inertial confinement fusion, condensed matter physics, atomic physics, shock physics, radiation transport, and planetary science. Department staff develop and operate a suite of high-power lasers including the multi-kilojoule nanosecond-class Z-Beamlet and picosecond-class Z-Petawatt lasers, some of the largest and most powerful lasers in the world. Department staff also develop high-speed solid-state x-ray cameras and sensors using custom ASICs and photodiodes arrays. Other unique experimental capabilities include x-ray calibration sources and detectors, thin-film optical coating system for meter-scale optics, and target chambers and diagnostics for performing research on high-power laser-plasma interaction. This team is part of the Radiation, Electrical and High Energy Density Science (REHEDS) Research Foundation at Sandia.
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.
Security Clearance
Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. 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.
Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.
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.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs
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.
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.
