What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Research Associate in Radiation-Resilient Scintillator Materials for Fusion Diagnostics position at Los Alamos National Laboratory?
What You Will Do
The Materials Science and Technology Structure / Property Relations group (MST-8) at Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop next-generation radiation-resilient scintillator materials for fusion energy and national security applications. The successful candidate will work at the interface of experimental materials science and computational modeling to understand how radiation-induced defects form, evolve, and degrade scintillator performance under extreme environments.
The project combines controlled ion irradiation experiments, advanced structural and spectroscopic characterization, atomistic electronic structure calculations, and multiscale defect evolution modeling to establish predictive structure-property relationships for scintillator degradation. The ultimate goal is to enable the design of radiation-hardened scintillators with improved lifetime and performance for fusion diagnostics and other radiation detection technologies.
The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with experimentalists and computational scientists across Los Alamos National Laboratory and will have opportunities to contribute to high-impact publications, present research at international conferences, and participate in multidisciplinary collaborations supporting DOE Office of Science and NNSA mission areas.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Desired Qualifications:
In addition to the minimum requirements, the following qualifications are desired, and preference will be given to candidates satisfying (at least one) of them:
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.
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:
Directive 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.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
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.
Instructions on How to Activate/Create a LANL Jobs Account:
Follow the instructions below if you have ever had an employee Z number, been a contractor, or received Los Alamos Lab insurance coverage to activate your account:
The Materials Science and Technology Structure / Property Relations group (MST-8) at Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop next-generation radiation-resilient scintillator materials for fusion energy and national security applications. The successful candidate will work at the interface of experimental materials science and computational modeling to understand how radiation-induced defects form, evolve, and degrade scintillator performance under extreme environments.
The project combines controlled ion irradiation experiments, advanced structural and spectroscopic characterization, atomistic electronic structure calculations, and multiscale defect evolution modeling to establish predictive structure-property relationships for scintillator degradation. The ultimate goal is to enable the design of radiation-hardened scintillators with improved lifetime and performance for fusion diagnostics and other radiation detection technologies.
The postdoctoral researcher will work closely with experimentalists and computational scientists across Los Alamos National Laboratory and will have opportunities to contribute to high-impact publications, present research at international conferences, and participate in multidisciplinary collaborations supporting DOE Office of Science and NNSA mission areas.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Demonstrated experience with Czochralski single-crystal growth and/or other single-crystal growth techniques.
- Experience with solid-state synthesis, ceramic processing, and densification of oxide materials.
- Experience with structural characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), single crystal diffraction.
- Experience determining the optical and electronic properties of materials, including band gap measurements using UV-Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectroscopy or related techniques.
- Excellent communication and writing skills, as evidenced by publications, cover letter and interview.
- Demonstrated ability to work creatively and independently as well as learn and collaborate with experts as a part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Desired Qualifications:
In addition to the minimum requirements, the following qualifications are desired, and preference will be given to candidates satisfying (at least one) of them:
- Familiarity with materials characterization techniques such as electron microscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, or optical spectroscopy.
- Experience in synchrotron or neutron scattering techniques.
- Experience in time-resolved optical spectroscopy or scintillation measurements.
- Experience in radiation effects in materials or radiation damage studies particularly using ion beams.
- Experience in defect characterizations using positron annihilation spectroscopy and/or Rutherford backscattering spectrometry in channeling configurations.
- Knowledge of scintillator materials, phosphors, optical ceramics, or rare-earth-doped materials.
- Experience in density functional theory (DFT), atomistic simulations, or multiscale modeling.
- Experience in computer programming using modern computing languages. Programming skills in Python and/or scientific computing environments.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and with minimum supervision.
- Willingness to work productively on multiple projects.
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.
- When submitting your application electronically to this position, a cover letter summarizing your skills, research areas of interest, and desire to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory is required.
- The appointment is for a duration of two years, with the possibility of a third-year extension based on performance evaluation.
- Candidates may be considered for a fellowship supported by the Center for Nonlinear Studies (CNLS). Outstanding candidates may be considered for a Director's Postdoc Fellowship or for the prestigious Richard P. Feynman, Darleane Christian Hoffman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, or Frederick Reines Distinguished Postdoc Fellowships.
- For more information about the Postdoc Program, go to https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php
- Dr. Arjen van Veelen (arjen.vanveelen@lanl.gov)
- Dr. Anjana Talapatra (atalapatra@lanl.gov)
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)
Directive 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.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
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.
Instructions on How to Activate/Create a LANL Jobs Account:
Follow the instructions below if you have ever had an employee Z number, been a contractor, or received Los Alamos Lab insurance coverage to activate your account:
- Select the Click Here button if you have been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage.
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