What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Kinetic Theory position at Los Alamos National Laboratory?
What You Will Do
We are seeking qualified candidates to join the Theoretical Division (T-Division) at Los Alamos National Laboratory. T-Division offers a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration in support of the Laboratory's strategic basic research and national security missions. Within T-Division, the Applied Mathematics and Plasma Physics Group (T-5) conducts cutting-edge research in areas such as novel algorithms, numerical methods, and theoretical modeling. Applications span a wide range of fields, including fusion and high energy density science, space plasma physics, astrophysics, numerical analysis, machine learning, computational imaging, optimization, artificial intelligence, environmental science, and the modeling of critical infrastructure systems such as gas pipelines and electrical grids.
The selected candidate will work closely with mentors and other collaborators to advance a novel formulation of kinetic equations-referred to as conditional kinetics (arXiv:2410.20106)-across various domains, including plasmas, neutrons, photons, phonons, and gases to develop a new paradigm for multiscale and multiphysics coupled kinetic simulations. This work will involve developing new numerical methods for solving these equations. A strong background in plasma physics, astrophysics, nuclear engineering, or applied mathematics is preferred, particularly with experience in numerical algorithms for solving hyperbolic or parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs). A demonstrated ability-and eagerness-to acquire new skills and adapt to emerging research areas is essential. The initial appointment is for two years, with the possibility of a third-year extension contingent on performance and available funding.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Education/Experience: A Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Plasma Physics, Astrophysics, Engineering, Computational Science, or a closely related field completed within the past five years or soon to be completed.
Desired Qualifications:
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:
In addition to applying online, please send a cover letter and CV (including the contact information of three references) to William T. Taitano at taitano@lanl.gov. Applications will be considered incomplete otherwise. When applying on-line, please include the following files with your application: a CV (please include month/year PhD expected/obtained) and a detailed cover letter describing the candidate's interest and qualifications in this research area.
Fellowship Opportunities: Candidates may be considered for a Director's Fellowship, CNLS Fellowship, Chick Keller Fellowship, Mark Kac Fellowship, or Nicholas C. Metropolis Fellowship.
Salary: Competitive salaries are based on the date the PhD degree requirements were completed or the degree was awarded. Starting salary for a new graduate is currently $94,500. For more information go to the Postdoc Program website at https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php .
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.
Where You Will Work
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)
Additional Details:
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 P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, 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 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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.
How to Apply: How to Apply: Login to Your Account to Complete the Application Process
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:
Follow the instructions below if you if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to create an account:
How to Apply: How to Apply: Login to Your Account to Complete the Application Process
We are seeking qualified candidates to join the Theoretical Division (T-Division) at Los Alamos National Laboratory. T-Division offers a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration in support of the Laboratory's strategic basic research and national security missions. Within T-Division, the Applied Mathematics and Plasma Physics Group (T-5) conducts cutting-edge research in areas such as novel algorithms, numerical methods, and theoretical modeling. Applications span a wide range of fields, including fusion and high energy density science, space plasma physics, astrophysics, numerical analysis, machine learning, computational imaging, optimization, artificial intelligence, environmental science, and the modeling of critical infrastructure systems such as gas pipelines and electrical grids.
The selected candidate will work closely with mentors and other collaborators to advance a novel formulation of kinetic equations-referred to as conditional kinetics (arXiv:2410.20106)-across various domains, including plasmas, neutrons, photons, phonons, and gases to develop a new paradigm for multiscale and multiphysics coupled kinetic simulations. This work will involve developing new numerical methods for solving these equations. A strong background in plasma physics, astrophysics, nuclear engineering, or applied mathematics is preferred, particularly with experience in numerical algorithms for solving hyperbolic or parabolic partial differential equations (PDEs). A demonstrated ability-and eagerness-to acquire new skills and adapt to emerging research areas is essential. The initial appointment is for two years, with the possibility of a third-year extension contingent on performance and available funding.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Education/Experience: A Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Plasma Physics, Astrophysics, Engineering, Computational Science, or a closely related field completed within the past five years or soon to be completed.
- Demonstrated ability to publish in scientific journals, and to communicate effectively, both written and orally.
- Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment and develop solutions for complex problems while effectively networking with peers.
- Expertise in analysis, development, implementation, and testing of numerical methods for solving hyperbolic and/or parabolic PDEs.
- Proficiency in several of the following programing languages: C/C , Python, and Julia.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience in curvilinear geometry as well as applications of symplectic geometry.
- Experience in developing structure preserving discretization schemes.
- Experience in low-rank tensor decomposition methods and their applications to solving high dimensional PDEs.
- Experience in using high performance scientific software libraries (e.g., petsc, trillinos, MFEM, sundials).
- Experience in parallel computing (MPI, OpenMP, Cuda, Kokkos, Raja).
- Experience in linear and nonlinear solvers (e.g., Krylov, Newton, preconditioning, multigrid, Anderson acceleration).
- Experience in developing multiscale and multiphysics methods for kinetic equations (e.g., micromacro decomposition, high-order low-order (HOLO) solvers, physics domain decomposition, fast-slow decomposition etc.)
- Experience with developing asymptotic reduced order models through e.g., Hilbert and Chapman-Enskog expansion.
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:
In addition to applying online, please send a cover letter and CV (including the contact information of three references) to William T. Taitano at taitano@lanl.gov. Applications will be considered incomplete otherwise. When applying on-line, please include the following files with your application: a CV (please include month/year PhD expected/obtained) and a detailed cover letter describing the candidate's interest and qualifications in this research area.
Fellowship Opportunities: Candidates may be considered for a Director's Fellowship, CNLS Fellowship, Chick Keller Fellowship, Mark Kac Fellowship, or Nicholas C. Metropolis Fellowship.
Salary: Competitive salaries are based on the date the PhD degree requirements were completed or the degree was awarded. Starting salary for a new graduate is currently $94,500. For more information go to the Postdoc Program website at https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php .
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.
Where You Will Work
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)
Additional Details:
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 P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, 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 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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.
How to Apply: How to Apply: Login to Your Account to Complete the Application Process
- Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view any job's details.
- Click Apply or Add to Basket to apply later. Tip: To apply for a job or save your basket, you must have a LANL jobs account. 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.
- Please enter only your first and last name and current email address (an email with your validation code will be sent to you) to activate the account currently in our system.
- Enter your validation code as described in the email you receive and complete the 3-page registration form. Your account is now active, and you can apply for jobs or save to your basket. Important: Enter the validation code within 15 days to activate your account or your account will be deactivated
Follow the instructions below if you if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to create an account:
- Select the Register button if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to Create an Account.
- From here, you will establish an account with username and password
How to Apply: How to Apply: Login to Your Account to Complete the Application Process
- Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view any job's details.
- Click Apply or Add to Basket to apply later. Tip: To apply for a job or save your basket, you must have a LANL jobs account.
- If you experience any technical issues, please email applyhelp@lanl.gov for assistance.
Salary : $94,500
