Postdoctoral Appointee – Computational Neuroscience (Onsite)

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:

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• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

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*These benefits vary by job classification.

Are you passionate about working in collaboration with a hardworking team of neuroscientists, computer scientists, mathematicians, and engineers? Our team is seeking a computational neuroscience postdoctoral appointee to conduct research at the interface of neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and implementing neural-inspired algorithms on conventional and specialized hardware.

On any given day, you may be called on to:

• Draw inspiration from neuroscience to develop novel algorithms to tackle real-world problems.
• Develop neurobiological models at differing levels of biological complexity, ranging from neural network theory to neural circuit models constrained by current understanding of biophysical mechanisms underlying sensory processing and learning.
• Work with computer scientists, mathematicians, and engineers to abstract neural computations such as dendritic computation, short-term plasticity, and microcircuit computations for incorporation into artificial intelligence algorithms and human-made computing systems.
• Develop techniques for mapping novel brain-inspired and AI models onto existing and emerging neuromorphic hardware. This includes analyzing, benchmarking, and modeling neuromorphic architectures.
• Publish research results in journals and professional conference venues.

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

• Possess, or are pursuing, a PhD in theoretical neuroscience, computer science, mathematics, physics or a relevant field; PhD must be conferred within five years prior to employment.
• experience with theoretical or practical aspects of either neural algorithms, artificial intelligence models, or neuromorphic hardware.
• Experience in a common programming language such as Python or C++.
• Able to obtain and maintain a DoE Q clearance.

• Interest in developing neural-inspired (e.g., spiking neural network, population codes) and cutting-edge artificial intelligence algorithms (e.g. transformer models, RNNs, diffusion models) or in the deployment and Application of such algorithms.
• Experience with specialized computational architectures such as GPUs, FPGAs, neuromorphic processors.
• Experience with neural network modeling languages (PyTorch, Tensorflow, Keras, etc) or neural modeling languages (Brian, NEST, etc).
• Prior peer-reviewed publications in top-tier journals are highly desirable.
• Desire to work as part of a collaborative, multi-disciplinary team.

The department of Cognitive & Emerging Computing (Org. 01421) pursues foundational research and development of:- emerging general-purpose energy-efficient and beyond-Moore computing paradigms;- cognitive, brain-inspired and neuromorphic computing, human-machine interface technologies;- advanced heterogeneous architectures based on integrated commodity components, special purpose accelerators, neural architectures and algorithms.

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.

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 trustworthiness 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.