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Job Description
About Sandia
Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation. We are a world-class team of scientists, engineers, technologists, post docs, and visiting researchers all focused on cutting-edge technology, ranging from homeland defense, global security, biotechnology, and environmental preservation to energy and combustion research, computer security, and nuclear defense.
To learn more, visit http://www.sandia.gov.
Department Description
Department 1677, Neutron & Particle Diagnostics, develops and fields neutron diagnostics at the Z pulsed power facility in support of the Inertial Confinement Fusion and Radiation Effects Sciences programs, leads fast neutron and nuclear physics studies, and collaborates in neutron source development and high-energy-density physics studies at several facilities. The department is composed of scientists and technologists, working together in a collaborative environment and interacting with scientists from around the world to pursue research in the areas of nuclear fusion and plasma physics.
Job Summary
This job posting focuses on the hiring of a post-doctoral researcher to collaborate on the fielding, data interpretation, and development of neutron diagnostics, and to participate in planning and executing experiments in neutron sources, nuclear and plasma physics at the Z machine and on other neutron facilities. The researcher will sustain collaborations with the international high-energy-density (HED) physics community, and represent the research and development in the organization through publications in scientific journals and presentations at conferences. This position requires interfacing with scientists, engineers, and technicians in order to coordinate experimental activities in the Inertial Confinement Fusion and Radiation Effects Sciences programs. Work environments consist of Beryllium and Radiological contamination and operational areas. In addition to diagnostic fielding, the work also involves diagnostic development, assembly, testing, and calibration in light labs and at other accelerator facilities. Experience with operating high-voltage detector electronics and data acquisition systems, and also working with radioactive sources, radiation generating devices and components for diagnostic calibration activities is desired. Experience is required with data reduction, uncertainty analysis, computer language skills, and scientific comparison between experiment and theory/modeling. Facility with numerical modeling of neutron environments is also desired in order to design experiments and interpret diagnostic data. A significant component of the work includes the design of collimators and shielding using numerical models informed by measurements in order to improve neutron diagnostic data quality and stand up new diagnostic beamlines. The job requires attention to detail, excellence in scientific and technical work, and the ability to communicate scientific results through journal publications and presenting at scientific conferences. The researcher is expected to support Sandia staff, and grow into a role of independent work on neutron diagnostic development and leadership in fielding and analyzing experiments.
Required
-- Ph.D. in Physics, Engineering, or closely associated technical field. The Ph.D. must have been awarded within the last five years -- Co-authored publication in a related area of research, such as nuclear physics, nuclear fusion or fission reactor technology, experimental or theoretical/computation for neutron environments, neutron or x-ray radiation sources or diagnostics, high-energy-density or plasma physics -- Willingness to travel to facilities such as NStec-Las Vegas, Nevada Test Site, Idaho State University's LINAC, and others, and to travel to attend and present material at scientific conferences
Desired
-- Excellent verbal, written, planning, and interpersonal skills conducive to working as a part of a large team -- The demonstrated ability to develop collaborations with external organizations -- Experience leading experiments in a large team environment -- Highly self-motivated, adaptable to change, and an excellent work ethic suited to making rapid progress through independently directed work -- Previous experience fielding experiments or diagnostics at a major pulsed power or high-energy-density physics facility -- Knowledge of z-pinch or dense plasma focus design, operation, and diagnosis -- First-authored publications in a related area of research, such as nuclear physics, nuclear fusion or fission reactor technology, experimental or theoretical/computation for neutron environments, neutron or x-ray radiation sources or diagnostics, high-energy-density or plasma physics -- Experience performing radiological work, and interacting with radiological support groups, for example in coordinating the fielding and analyzing of TLDs or CR-39 detectors -- Strong electro-mechanical skills such as the ability to use varied calibration instruments in light labs for diagnostics testing, and in supporting the setup of experimental equipment such as nuclear electronics, vacuum chambers, gamma-ray detectors, neutron activation detectors, and data acquisition systems -- Experience in designing and building electronic circuits, proper cable plants, and data acquisition systems including digitizers, pulse generators, high-voltage power supplies, and the necessary interfacing from instruments to computer control -- Experience in numerical modeling of neutron scattering and absorption, for example with the MCNP code, and in coupling three-dimensional physical models to the code
Security Clearance
Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE)-granted Q-level security clearance. Sandia is required by DOE directive to conduct a pre-employment background review that includes personal reference checks, law enforcement record and credit checks, and employment and education verifications. Applicants for employment must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. 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 the DOE, rendering the inability to perform the duties assigned and resulting in termination of employment.
Benefits
At Sandia you will receive many benefits as a valued employee of a premier national multi-program engineering and science research laboratory. In our Total Rewards package you will enjoy competitive pay, great benefits, a stimulating, positive environment and learning opportunities that will help build your career. More information may be found on our Careers website.
EEO
Equal opportunity employer/Disability/Vet/GLBT |
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