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Modeling and Simulation of Inertial Confinement Fusion Physics Postdoc

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Algorithms, Astrophysics, C Programming Language, C++ Programming Language, Communication Skills, Computational Engineering, Computational Physics, Computer Architecture, DOE Clearance, DOE-Q (Top Secret Restricted Data), Dental Insurance, Differential Equations, Fluid Mechanics and Dynamics, Fortran Programming Language, Laboratory, Laser Science, Mathematics, Model Validation, Nuclear Engineering, Operations Security (OPSEC), Physics, Plasma, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Publications, Python Programming/Scripting Language, Radiography, Simulation, Team Player, Tuition Fees, United States Citizen, Vision Plan, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Los Alamos, NM
POSTED
19 days ago
What You Will Do

The Eulerian Codes Group (XCP-2) in the X-Computational Physics (XCP) Division is seeking an outstanding candidate for a postdoctoral position in code development and modeling related to plasma physics and Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF). This work will involve contributing to the development of one or more physics packages relevant to inertial confinement fusion (ICF) modeling as well as utilizing novel capabilities to simulate ICF implosions. XCP-2 supports and develops the xRAGE Radiation-Hydrodynamics Eulerian Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) code, which is widely used to perform simulations of ICF and High Energy Density Physics (HEDP) experiments. The candidate will assist in the development of physics models in the xRAGE code. The position will also involve validation of physics models and their implementation in the xRAGE code as applied to the simulation of ICF and HEDP experiments, as well as performing detailed code comparisons. The successful candidate is expected to work in a team environment with experimentalists and computational scientists, implement models and methods in xRAGE, and publish results.

Specific models may include:
  • Extended magnetohydrodynamics (for pulsed power experiments)
  • Synthetic x-ray, neutron, gamma, and/or radiochemistry diagnostics
  • Reduced models for laser-plasma interactions and coupling to hot electron transport
  • Monte Carlo charged particle transport (thermonuclear reaction products)
  • Multi-temperature multi-species fluid modeling
  • Thermal conduction (non-local and coupling to laser physics and magnetohydrodynamics/MHD)
  • Non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (nLTE)
  • Plasma transport


What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

  • A PhD in Physics, Astrophysics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, or related field
  • Solid background in numerical methods and modeling HEDP or related systems
  • Proficiency in Fortran, C/C++, or Python
  • Strong record of publications commensurate with experience
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Ability to obtain a DOE Q Clearance, which typically requires US Citizenship



Desired Qualifications:

  • Experience with theoretical or computational plasma physics
  • Experience with magnetohydrodynamics
  • Experience in neutral particle transport and nuclear reactions (nuclear engineering)
  • Experience in modeling highly-coupled physics experiments for compressible flows
  • Solid background in numerical methods for solving systems of partial differential equations in fluid dynamics or related fields
  • Experience with massively parallel numerical development and simulation
  • Experience with deploying numerical algorithms to future computing architectures
  • Experience with code development relevant to computational physics

Education: A Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computational Science, or a closely related field completed within the past five years or soon to be completed.

Work Environment:

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:

Applicants should submit a CV/Resume and cover letter. The cover letter should be composed of a one-page career narrative followed by a bulleted list of the applicant's relevant experience for each requirement.

Contact: Brian Haines (

bmhaines@lanl.gov

)

Candidates may be considered for a Director's Fellowship and outstanding candidates may be considered for the prestigious Marie Curie, Richard P. Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, or Frederick Reines Fellowships.

For general information about the LANL Postdoc Program, go to http://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php

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.

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.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

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.

About the Company

L

Los Alamos National Laboratory