Verification, Validation and Uncertainty Quantification (Postdoc)

Location
Los Alamos, New Mexico, US
Salary
Starting salary for a new graduate is currently $94,500.
Posted
Oct 30, 2024
Posting live until
Nov 29, 2024
Ref
IRC132258

What You Will Do

Are you ready to begin a career assessing predictive confidence of computational physics codes? If so, we encourage you to learn more about our Postdoctoral Research Associate openings in the Computational Physics: Verification & Analysis group (XCP-8) at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). We are looking for several highly motivated post-doctoral candidates in the areas of verification, validation (V&V) and uncertainty quantification (UQ). You will be part of a large interdisciplinary team working on a newly funded project, assessing effects of uncertainties in model parameters on predictions from hydrodynamic simulation codes (i.e. CFD). A background in a relevant field of physics is preferred (e.g. hydrodynamics, fluid dynamics, shock physics, turbulence, solid mechanics, material strength, material failure, plasma physics, radiation transport, and/or magnetohydrodynamics). You will have the opportunity to publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at top tier conferences.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

Numerical Methods

You will need experience with many aspects of numerical modeling, including but not limited to experience as a user and/or developer of large multi-physics models and/or with the underlying physics and mathematics of multi-physics models. You will need the ability to run export-controlled codes which generally requires US Citizenship or Permanent Residency

Research Expertise

You will need to have conducted high level research in one or more of the following areas: simulation, verification, validation, uncertainty quantification, optimization, inverse problems or a closely related focus area.

Programming

For this role you will need to be familiar with at least one of: Fortran, C++ and/or Python. Alternately experience programming in Matlab and R may be substituted.

Journals/Conferences

You will need to show that you have the ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals or conference proceedings, communicate research to an interdisciplinary audience and work on an interdisciplinary team. This should be demonstrated by being the first author, or among a small set of co-authors, on at least one paper published, or accepted for publication, in a peer reviewed journal or in a major peer reviewed conference proceedings.

Education/Experience: PhD in mathematics, physics, materials science, chemistry, engineering, statistics or a closely related discipline. The candidate must be within 5 years of completion of PhD at time of being proposed for review by the committee, or will have completed all PhD requirements by commencement of the appointment.

Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience working with both numerical modeling and experimentation.
  • Familiarity using High Performance Computing clusters.
  • Experience with one or more of these subject areas: radiation transport, high-energy-density physics, equations-of-state, shock physics, high explosive modeling, material failure, material strength under high strain rates, magnetohydrodynamics.
  • Proficient with software engineering tools like: version control systems; web-based software repository systems; issue trackers; online collaboration platforms; and continuous integration systems.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Salary: Competitive salaries are based on the date the PhD degree requirements were completed or the degree was awarded. Starting salary for a new graduate is currently $94,500. For more information go to Postdoc Program website at https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php

Note to Applicants:

To be considered for the position, applicants should submit a CV/resume and a detailed cover letter addressing how their experience relates to each of the required and desired skills as applicable. Regular post-doctoral appointments are for two years and are renewable for a third year. Outstanding candidates may be eligible for a LANL Director's Fellowship. For specific inquiries regarding the position, please contact Dr. Brandon Wilson (bwilson@lanl.gov).
Where You Will Work

Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. LANL enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

Our generous benefits package includes:

  • PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
  • Dental and vision insurance
  • Free basic life and disability insurance
  • Paid childbirth and parental leave
  • Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
  • Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
  • Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
  • Onsite gyms and wellness programs
  • Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.