Job Description

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. What Your Job Will Be Like: The Applied Optical and Plasma Science Department is seeking a dedicated Postdoctoral Appointee to conduct fundamental research developing active and passive optical diagnostic techniques examining plasmas used in a wide range of applications. The successful candidate will assist in research leading to new scientific insights aiding Sandia in its mission to serve the nation. You will develop and interrogate a variety of plasma systems, increase our ability to understand interactions of plasma with complex surfaces, and work in collaboration with members of our computational plasma physics team to increase fundamental knowledge of these systems. Join us to develop creative solutions to unique national security challenges! On any given day, you may be called on to: + Establish new scientific insights on the physical mechanisms underlying low temperature plasma phenomena + Publish scientific results and participate in the scientific community + Collaborate with external partners through Sandia’s Low Temperature Plasma Research Facility (https://www.sandia.gov/prf/) + Use plasma diagnostic tools for new applications + Develop or otherwise support the development of new diagnostic tools for interrogating plasma initiation and steady states + Verify and validate plasma simulation tools in collaboration with modelers Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. Qualifications We Require: + Possess, or are pursuing, a PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or relevant science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) field (PhD must be conferred within five years prior to employment) + Experience with optical diagnostics or low temperature plasma experiments Qualifications We Desire: + Proficiency with varied communication methods, including oral presentation, preparation of high-impact visual presentations, written reports, and the ability to clearly and concisely communicate scientific and technical information at a level tailored to the audience + Strong interpersonal skills + Motivation and ability to tackle technical problems independently + Experience with LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, or other data interpretation scripting/programming tools + Experience with setting up and operating experimental systems to study plasma generation, including plasma sources, high voltage discharge circuits, and pressure and vacuum systems + Experience with optical emission spectroscopy (OES), laser-induced fluorescence (LIF), absorption spectroscopy, Thomson scattering, Raman scattering, electric-field-induced Second harmonic generation (EFISH), optical tomography, surface spectroscopy, or coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) + Experience with electrical discharge (vacuum to atmospheric pressures, low to high currents), plasma-surface interactions, semiconductor processing, gas/plasma chemistry, laser-surface interactions, plasma catalysis, dusty plasma, hydrodynamics, or solid-state physics + Experience with RF (CCP or ICP), DC, AC, or nanosecond pulsed discharges + Experience with model validation using experimental results + Experience developing plasma chemistry models/mechanisms + Record of publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences About Our Team: Our department is a multidisciplinary group of experts in three main areas: Laser and Optical Diagnostics, Low Temperature Plasma Physics, and Thermal Characterization of Materials. The Low Temperature Plasma Physics thrust has ongoing work in plasma-driven chemistry, plasma-surface interactions, arc discharges (from vacuum to high pressure), charged particle transport, sheath physics, and more. To study this wide array of phenomena, we possess both experimental and computational experts that work together to produce new understanding. The plasma codes we use range from fully kinetic, through hybrid, to fluid models, and 0D to 3D. Experimentally, we have developed a variety of sources including multipole confinement systems, CCP/ICP RF plasmas, vacuum arcs, and atmospheric pressure plasma systems. We use a variety of diagnostics to examine these systems and are actively involved in the development or use of advanced laser diagnostics, other spectroscopic techniques, physical probes, RF sensing, and more. The Laser and Optical Diagnostics and Analysis thrust conducts innovative research, application development, and analysis using a wide variety of techniques and instrumentation. Some of these involve development of optical or laser sources, as well as passive or active optical spectroscopy providing unique, real-time, non-contact, in-situ optical diagnostic capabilities from Brillion spectroscopy, Optical Emission Spectroscopy, Raman Spectroscopy, and numerous hyphenated FTIR techniques. The Thermal Characterization thrust research the fundamental thermal properties and performance of a diverse set of materials experiencing an expansive range of environments. This research uses state-of-the-art custom and commercial thermal imaging tools, Frequency Domain Thermal Reflectance (FDTR), and modeling/simulation tools to create and characterize new materials. This work entails both state-of-the-art diagnostics as well as developing custom diagnostics and techniques to provide information on the underlying science of thermal behaviors of materials. Our team is committed to nurturing an environment compatible with a broad group of people and perspectives in accordance with the changing makeup of the workforce. In support of this vision, we actively recruit applicants from diverse groups of backgrounds and foster an inclusive community. Join us and work towards your goals while making a difference! 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:

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. 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. Job ID: 691534

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.