Postdoctoral Appointee – Computational Mechanics, Onsite

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We are seeking a postdoctoral appointee in computational mechanics with an emphasis on solid mechanics with collaborations in fluid mechanics and heat transfer.

On any given day your work will involve developing theory and software in one or more of the following domains:

• Constitutive modeling of material inelasticity and damage evolution
• Regularized fracture/failure, multiscale/multiphysics coupling, and novel numerical methods with a focus on mesh adaptivity

You will work within a multidisciplinary team environment to advance understanding and modeling capabilities to support high-consequence engineering analysis for various national security and energy applications.

This work is expected to lead to the publication of research findings in peer reviewed journal articles and technical reports.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

• Ph.D. in Mechanical, Civil, Aerospace Engineering, or related discipline
• Demonstrated proficiency in computational mechanics
• experience in scientific computing, numerical algorithm, and software development
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance

• Deep understanding of common numerical methods used in computational mechanics with an emphasis on solid mechanics and multiphysics coupling.
• Background in mesh adaptivity with expertise in element technology, discretization strategies, and solution transfer
• Exposure to phase field methods applied to ductile fracture
• Proficiency with code development in a modern programming language such as C++ or Python
• Experience publishing peer-reviewed journal articles
• Strong written and communication skills
• Ability to work in a team environment

The Mechanics of Materials Department performs work primarily in experimental and computational solid mechanics to characterize and predict the mechanical behavior of engineering materials. We specifically target increased understanding of the phenomenology of plasticity, fracture and failure across broad ranges of temperature, strain rate, and environmental conditions. Our numerical investigations span length and time scales from atomistic simulations of fundamental material behavior to continuum simulations of component response. We also develop the necessary numerical methodologies for our material models to be used in large-scale simulations on Sandia’s high-performance and exascale computing resources. Our experimental work covers a broad spectrum from discovery to characterization to model validation. We have experimental facilities with capabilities to investigate material behavior at nanometer to meter length scales, ambient and elevated temperatures, and quasistatic to dynamic rates. The combination of computational and experimental researchers in our department fosters a unique environment allowing direct and meaningful collaboration between the disciplines. Motivated by experimental observations, we develop mathematical models to simulate material responses under various loading and environmental conditions. Conversely, observations of simulated material behavior identify gaps in knowledge that drive the development and execution of new experimental techniques and investigations. We support the various missions of the laboratory by continuously advancing the state-of-the-art in assessing and predicting material performance in high-consequence applications.

This posting will be open for Application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

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.

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.

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.

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.