Postdoctoral Appointee - Impact in Granular Materials, Onsite

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.

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We are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to join a team conducting research related to improving coarse-grained particle-based simulations for complex granular flows, compaction, and planetary defense

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

• Generate and study gravitationally stabilized granular packings and dynamics of wave propagation and shock using discrete element method or other mesh free continuum methods (peridynamics, material point method, bonded particle methods)
• Study complex granular physics using particle-based methods like discrete element, bonded particle models, peridynamics, etc.
• Run large-scale, cutting-edge simulations of granular systems
• Conduct research to validate models, analyze simulation of various applications, and publish results
• Travel as needed to support projects

Due to the nature of the work, the selected candidate must be able to work onsite.

• PhD, conferred within 5 years prior to employment, in Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Material Science, Applied Math, or other related field
• Theoretical expertise in the physics and mechanics of heterogeneous materials (e.g. granular materials, glasses)
• Experience in particle-based simulations (e.g. molecular dynamics, discrete element method, bonded particle models)
• Good communication skills as evidenced by a history of publication of results in peer-reviewed journals and external presentations at appropriate scientific conferences
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoE Q security clearance

• Familiarity with shock, impact, or vibration transmission and dissipation in granular materials
• Familiarity with high performance computing environments and parallel simulations
• Experience using molecular dynamics or other particle-based codes, e.g. LAMMPS
• Demonstrated scientific programming skills including computational modeling and using the Linux operating system
• Demonstrated ability to work in large, multi-disciplinary teams
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex multiscale problems in physics
• Experience collaborating in multi-organizational environments

We conduct applied research on the structure and behavior of complex engineered material systems exhibiting coupled physical processes that span multiple length and time scales. This research encompasses theoretical/computational and experimental methods and analysis of energetic (propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics) and soft materials (complex fluids, aerosols, polymers, powders and particles) as well as multiphase/composite systems. We support partner organizations in scientific assessments for design, production, performance and safety of material systems (e.g., critical components) as well as in the development and manufacturing of novel materials for high consequence, extreme environment applications.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

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.

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.