Postdoctoral Appointee – Computational Modeling and Simulation Code Verification

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The Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification (VVUQ) Department is seeking a Postdoctoral Computational Engineer or Computational Physicist. This individual will perform research and development associated with code verification of computational-physics codes across a variety of disciplines.

You will team closely with subject matter experts across modeling and simulation, including code development, math, physics, engineering, and VVUQ, to develop and apply novel code-verification approaches to challenging problems related to Sandia’s core mission.

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Implementing and using manufactured and exact solutions to perform verification on computational physics codes that span different physics disciplines
• Developing novel and/or rigorous techniques to support these efforts and modifying existing codes to include these capabilities
• Documenting, publishing, and presenting work internally and externally
• Supporting other focuses of the department

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. Relocation will be provided for those that qualify.

• PhD in engineering (e.g., aerospace, chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, nuclear) or natural science (e.g., mathematics, physics) conferred within 5 years of start date
• Background in computational physics, including one or more of the following disciplines: fluid dynamics (CFD), solid mechanics, electromagnetics (EM), heat transfer, radiation, plasma, and others.
• Background in numerical methods, including one or more of the following methods: finite elements, finite differences, finite volumes, particle-in-cell, Monte Carlo, deterministic radiation transport, and other methods used to solve partial differential equations (PDEs) and integro-partial differential equations
• Interest in performing verification, validation, and/or uncertainty quantification
• Openness to working on different physics disciplines
• Strong verbal and written communication skills and an ability to interact well with fellow technical workers with diverse technical backgrounds
• Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Energy Q clearance

• experience in code and solution verification, including the use of exact and manufactured solutions (MMS)
• Programming language experience in languages such as Fortran, C, or C++
• Scripting language experience in languages such as Matlab or Python
• History of publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific conferences

The mission of the Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification (VVUQ) department (1544) is to provide research, development, and Application of analytical, computational, and experimental techniques to assess the credibility of physics-based computational models and simulations. This highly cross-cutting, multi-disciplinary team, experienced in simulation and experimentation, draws from a wide range of disciplines, including fluid dynamics, electromagnetics, radiation effects, solid and structural mechanics, heat transfer, numerical methods, optimization, statistics, and risk assessment, to support the laboratories mission. Verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification (VVUQ) is an interdisciplinary activity that identifies, communicates, and prioritizes gaps in modeling and simulation credibility to support informed decision-making. Verification determines whether a computational model accurately represents the mathematical model of a physical process, and that the computational model is solved correctly. Validation determines the degree of agreement between experimental data and simulation data, including their respective uncertainties. Uncertainty quantification is a key element of validation and it encompasses a broad range of mathematical and statistical analysis methods to assess and quantify model uncertainty. The combination of verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification establishes credibility in our computational models, which are then employed in making high-consequence risk-informed decisions.

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.