Postdoctoral Appointee – Shock Physics, Onsite

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• Support novel experimental design for shock compression studies of heterogeneous materials, including mechanical mixtures, granular and porous media, and earthen/geological materials.
• Fabricate and characterize target assemblies at SNL-CA.
• Analyze traditional diagnostics (PDV, PVDF, PZT, etc.) and integrate results to computational models.
• Build and execute Linux-based workflows to execute hydrocode calcuations.
• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams, adapting to each user facility’s procedures, requirements, and constraints.
• Coordinate and execute experiments at internal and external user facilities.
• Perform data analysis, including radiographic analysis and high-speed imaging interpretation.
• Calibrate material models by correlating experimental observations with computational models.
• Document and present findings to internal and external stakeholders, including scientific conferences and multi-organization meetings.

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

• PhD in Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or closely related discipline.
• Deep understanding of shock compression science and dynamic material response, with experience in areas such as:
  • Experimental shock physics (e.g. gas-gun, explosive, pulsed-power platforms)
  • Computational shock physics (e.g. hydrocodes, FEA, plasticity, etc.)

• Documented record of designing and executing complex shock-compression experiments to probe at least one of the following behaviors:
• Experience processing and interpreting image diagnostics, such as flash X-ray, proton radiography, high-speed optical/video.
• Highly collaborative work style, with demonstrated ability to coordinate with external facility staff.
• Handson fabrication and metrology of shock physics target assemblies (alignment, tolerances).
• Familiarity with advanced diagnostics (VISAR/PDV, DIC, pyrometry, in-situ strain gauges).
• Experience fielding experiments at user facilities under formal work-control and readiness processes.
• Proficiency in developing data-reduction pipelines and quantitative image analysis (uncertainty quantification, segmentation).
• Track record of integrating experimental data with simulations for model validation and parameter calibration.
• Strong publication record and effective scientific communication skills.

The Mechanics of Materials Department performs experimental and analytical studies to characterize and predict the thermal-mechanical behavior of materials, from atoms to continuum, specializing in fracture and failure. Our experimental work covers the spectrum of discovery to characterization to model validation. Motivated by observations, we develop mathematical models to simulate material responses under various loading and environmental conditions. The fidelity of our models and simulations varies from atomic to continuum scales. We develop numerical methodologies so that our material models can be implemented in high-performance computing simulations. Our experimental capabilities include characterizing materials over a wide range of temperatures and strain rates, developing micro- and nanoscale strain and displacement diagnostics, and testing subsystems to support model validations.

You will join the shock physics group within Mechanics of Materials, where we investigate the dynamic response of materials subjected to extreme environments. Our scope spans granular and porous media, composites and mixtures, concretes, earthen materials, and other complex systems. We combine experimental design, highfidelity diagnostics, and modeling to advance fundamental understanding and predictive capability in shock physics and dynamic material behavior.

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.

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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.