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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:

Sandia’s Lethality and Threat department (5417) is currently seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee interested in one of the following technical areas: shock physics modeling and simulation (M&S), or non-linear solid mechanics and hydro-structural analysis to support multiple DOE and DoD programs within the department.

The selected candidate will work closely with the technical staff to apply integrated technical judgment to anticipate, innovate, and deliver solutions to Sandia National Laboratories missions. This requires using the scientific method to recognize and define problems as well as formulating and testing various hypotheses. Their work should be based in the fundamentals of science and engineering while applying a deep understanding of engineering and scientific principles. Computational simulation, analysis, and evaluation are expected activities within the department, and innovative approaches are welcome.

On any given day, one may be called upon to:

• Provide assessment and evaluation for the next generation of high-fidelity shock physics and hydro-structural computational codes for use in the department

• Perform analysis support and provide technical contributions based on their background across a range of shock physics, hydro-structural, and/or non-linear solid mechanics applications supporting the department’s national defense portfolio

• Develop and implement novel scientific and engineering test and analysis approaches to address technical needs associated with the national defense

• Perform research under the guidance and mentorship of Principal and Distinguished Investigator(s)

• Engage with the scientific community at large through presentations and involvement at conferences, seminars, and/or technical meetings.

  Due to the nature of the work, this candidate must work onsite.

Qualifications We Require:

• P hD in relevant STEM field (e.g., mechanics, structural engineering, fluid dynamics, planetary science) , and must have been conferred within the last 5 years

• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q level clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

• Two or more years of direct relevant experience (can be during graduate school) in at least one of the following areas: shock physics analysis, hydro-structural analysis, non-linear solid mechanics, or scientific code and model development

• Experience using first principles shock physics and hydro-structural codes such as Sandia’s CTH, PRESTO, and ZAPTEOC codes, or similar non-Sandia codes, for the solution of complex scientific and engineering problems

• Experience using python, MATLAB, or other programming language to develop tools and perform analysis

• Experience with the Linux operating system and large-scale, parallel computing on high-performance computing platforms for analysis

• Experience with the use of machine learning/artificial intelligence algorithms to scientific applications

• Experience with hypervelocity gas guns or other high-rate experimental techniques

• Experience working directly with DoD customers, ideally the Missile Defense Agency, and a working knowledge of MDA’s Ballistic Missile Defense System

• Knowledge and experience of nuclear weapons, reentry vehicle structures and materials, conventional munitions/penetrators, and/or high explosives

• Strong presentation abilities with the ability to work successfully in both a team environment and independently

• Experience with Computer Aided Design (CAD) and/or finite element meshing

• Leadership experience, including Principle Investigator, project management, or community activities

• An active DOE Q-level security clearance; or other equivalent active security clearance such as DOD Top Secret

About Our Team:

Sandia National Laboratories Lethality and Threat organization plays a key role in supporting the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) technically and programmatically across both the Lethality and Threat mission spaces. The department supports multiple DOE and DoD customers in support of national security using our advanced solid mechanics, coupled hydro-structural, and shock physics analysis capabilities. The organization is a key member of the Missile Defense Agency’s Corporate Lethality Program and provides technical support with an emphasis on using first principles computational tools for the development and evaluation of lethality/vulnerability criteria for target reentry vehicles, assessment, and characterization of post-intercept debris and associated signatures for target typing and kill assessment, hypersonic defense lethality, as well as other missile defense related applications. The department also supports MDA’s Threat Engineering efforts by reaching across the intelligence community and laboratory to engage experts across a wide range of technical areas including Computed Aided Drafting (CAD), Coupled Aero-thermal analysis, Trajectory analysis, and other specialized areas to develop comprehensive threat packages.

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:

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.

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: 693476

Job Family: 92

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: F