Materials Modeling of Plasticity and Microstructure Evolution Postdoctoral Research Associate

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory. The MST-8 Structure/Property Relations group at Los Alamos National Laboratory has exceptional opportunities for postdoc candidates in the field of microstructure aware materials modeling, particularly mesoscale modeling of plasticity, recrystallization, phase transformation, and damage in heterogeneous crystalline metals.

What You Will Do

The MST-8 Structure/Property Relations group at Los Alamos National Laboratory has exceptional opportunities for postdoc candidates in the field of microstructure aware materials modeling, particularly mesoscale modeling of plasticity, recrystallization, phase transformation, and damage in heterogeneous crystalline metals.

The selected candidate will join the Microstructure Response and Degradation Science (MRDS) team within MST-8. The MRDS team advances the understanding and prediction of material behavior under demanding service conditions. The team integrates advanced microstructural characterization with physics-based modeling to determine how microstructure governs deformation, damage accumulation, and long-term degradation. Its research spans multiple length scales and examines the effects of radiation, temperature, stress, corrosion, and other coupled extreme environments on metals, ceramics, and other material systems. By combining experiments, modeling, and data-driven analysis, the team develops integrated tools for materials qualification, lifetime prediction, and the design of more reliable materials for national security, nuclear energy, fusion, and other mission applications.

The successful candidate will have a strong publication record, an interdisciplinary research philosophy, and the ability to effectively communicate with researchers with varied backgrounds. As a postdoctoral research associate, you will be given the opportunity to publish results in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present at well-known conferences. The position is for two years, with a third year possible based on performance and funding.

The successful candidate will lead the development of advanced, mechanistic-based, crystal plasticity constitutive models to predict the behavior of nuclear structural materials and cladding materials under operational and off-normal conditions. The model will capture multiple deformation mechanisms, microstructure evolution, recrystallization phase transformations, and degradation in these materials, while providing an accurate mechanical response. This fundamental modeling work will support broader engineering program efforts in reduced-order model (ROM) development, uncertainty quantification, and implementation via ROM in Multiphysics simulation frameworks.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Strong knowledge of deformation mechanisms in metals, such as dislocation plasticity, deformation twinning, and grain-boundary-mediated deformation
• Demonstrated experience with crystal plasticity, microstructure evolution, or mechanistic modeling of mechanical behavior in crystalline materials
• Demonstrated knowledge of metals deformation behavior, microstructure evolution, and microstructure-property relationships
• Experience with either FFT or finite element-based mechanical solvers
• A record of peer-reviewed publications in relevant journals

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in finite element-based simulations
• Experience with phase field modeling and/or modeling phase transformations
• Experience in Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)-based simulations
• Familiarity with the MOOSE-FE framework
• Experience with hexagonal closed-packed (HCP) metals (zirconium alloys, titanium alloys, magnesium alloys) or body-centered cubic (BCC)/body-centered tetragonal (BCT) materials (ferritic-martensitic steels, other advanced steels)
• Knowledge of hydrogen effects in metals and hydride formation mechanisms
• Ability to effectively program in C++, Python, or Fortran
• Ability to adapt to new project requirements and learn new tools as needed
• Experience with Cohesive Zone Modeling

Education:

A PhD in nuclear engineering, materials science, physics, or a related engineering discipline completed within the last 5 years or soon to be completed.

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.

Note to Applicants:

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

The review of applicants will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Questions about the application can be sent to Dr. Andrea Rovinelli at

arovinelli@lanl.gov

or Dr. Khanh Dang at

kqdang@lanl.gov

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. 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.
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.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as 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, state, and local 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 (505)-664-6947.

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