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: We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral experimentalist to work on ultrafast dynamics projects: One project focuses on vibrational energy transfer in energetic materials under the influence of static pressure loading in a diamond anvil cell, using ultrafast broadband infrared spectroscopy. For another project, the successful candidate will study complex excited state electronic and structural dynamics governing processes such as photodissociation, conformational change, and charge transfer in gas-phase molecules using ultrafast soft X-ray spectroscopy, ultrafast infrared spectroscopy, and ultrafast electron diffraction.The research will involve close collaborations with theorists, materials scientists, and other scientists and engineers. On any given day, you may be called on to: + Operate ultrafast high-power laser systems and build optical set ups + Perform ultrafast core-level spectroscopy using a high-harmonic generation source of femtosecond soft X-ray pulses + Perform ultrafast broadband infrared spectroscopy of energetic materials in a diamond anvil cell using a plasma-based source of supercontinuum infrared pulses + Analyze and interpret experimental results in collaboration with theorists and other experimentalists, and document findings in peer-reviewed publications The postdoc will publish research in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present at national and international conferences. This position provides the opportunity to develop strong expertise in electronic and vibrational dynamics and spectroscopy, and to build technical skills in ultrafast lasers, optics, and vacuum systems. Due to the nature of the work, the selected candidate must be able to work onsite at the Sandia Livermore location. This position requires access to export-controlled or ITAR information. For this reason, only U.S. persons (citizens, lawful permanent residents, asylees or refugees) are eligible for consideration. Qualifications We Require: + Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, materials science, or other relevant field + Experience with femtosecond amplified laser systems, nonlinear optics, and instrumentation Qualifications We Desire: + Strong background in vibrational dynamics and/or electronic dynamics + Experience with ultrafast infrared spectroscopy and/or ultrafast core-level spectroscopy + Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to write peer-reviewed publications, evidenced by a strong publication record + Demonstrated ability to address complex problems creatively, and to work effectively both independently and in a team + Experience with MATLAB, LabVIEW, Python, and related software About Our Team: The Gas Phase Chemical Physics Department is part of Sandia's Combustion Research Facility (CRF) in Livermore, California, where over 100 scientists, engineers, and technologists conduct basic and applied research to improve our nation's capabilities in gas-phase chemical physics. Under the principal sponsorship of the Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences, the Gas Phase Chemical Physics Department conducts fundamental experimental, theoretical, and modeling research to develop a foundational understanding of the complex chemical reactions that occur either directly in the gas phase or influenced by it. Research areas include chemical dynamics and spectroscopy, advanced diagnostics, ultrafast physics and chemistry, chemical kinetics, multi-phase chemical physics, high-pressure combustion, and gas-surface interactions. 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: 691518

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.