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Verification, Validation and Uncertainty Quantification Postdoc

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM

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JOB DETAILS
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, C++ Programming Language, Chemistry, Computational Physics, Conferences, Continuous Integration, Dental Insurance, Explosives, Fluid Mechanics and Dynamics, Fortran Programming Language, Internet Application, Laboratory, MATLAB, Material Science, Mathematics, Operations Security (OPSEC), Physics, Plasma, Publications, Python Programming/Scripting Language, R Programming Language, Research Skills, Simulation, Small Company, Software Engineering, Solid Mechanics, Source Code/Configuration Management (SCM), Statistics, Strength of Materials, Tuition Fees, United States Citizen, Validation Testing, Vision Plan, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Los Alamos, NM
POSTED
30+ days ago
What You Will Do

Are you ready to begin a career assessing predictive confidence of computational physics codes? If so, we encourage you to learn more about our Postdoctoral Research Associate openings in the Computational Physics: Verification & Analysis group (XCP-8) at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). We are looking for several highly motivated post-doctoral candidates in the areas of verification, validation (V&V) and uncertainty quantification (UQ). In this role you will apply analysis methods, including V&V, UQ, Automatic Differentiation, and/or surrogate models to assess computational physics simulations of materials under extreme conditions. A background in a relevant field of physics is preferred (e.g. hydrodynamics, fluid dynamics, shock physics, turbulence, solid mechanics, material strength, material failure, plasma physics, radiation transport, and/or magnetohydrodynamics). You will have the opportunity to publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present at top tier conferences.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:


Technical Background

A background in computational physics in a relevant or closely related field, e.g. hydrodynamics, plasma physics, shock physics, fluid mechanics, solid mechanics, and/or material dynamics and advanced analysis of simulations, including but not limited to verification, validation, uncertainty quantification, sensitivity analysis, optimization, inverse problems or a closely related focus area.

Numerical Modeling and Simulation

Demonstrated experience in development, setup, execution, and/or postprocessing of numerical models and simulations. You will need the ability to run export-controlled codes which generally requires US Citizenship or Permanent Residency.

Research Expertise

You will need to have conducted high level research in one or more of the following areas: simulation, verification, validation, uncertainty quantification, sensitivity analysis, optimization, inverse problems or a closely related focus area.

Programming

For this role you will need to be familiar with at least one of: Fortran, C++ and/or Python. Alternately experience programming in Matlab and R may be substituted.

Journals/Conferences

You will need to show that you have the ability to publish research in peer-reviewed journals or conference proceedings, communicate research to an interdisciplinary audience and work on an interdisciplinary team. This should be demonstrated by being the first author, or among a small set of co-authors, on at least one paper published, or accepted for publication, in a peer reviewed journal or in a major peer reviewed conference proceedings.

Education/Experience: PhD in mathematics, physics, materials science, chemistry, engineering, statistics or a closely related discipline. The candidate must be within 5 years of completion of PhD at time of being proposed for review by the committee, or will have completed all PhD requirements by commencement of the appointment.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience working with both numerical modeling and experimentation.
  • Familiarity using High Performance Computing clusters.
  • Experience with one or more of these subject areas: radiation transport, high-energy-density physics, equations-of-state, shock physics, high explosive modeling, material failure, material strength under high strain rates, magnetohydrodynamics.
  • Proficient with software engineering tools like: version control systems; web-based software repository systems; issue trackers; online collaboration platforms; and continuous integration systems.


Note to Applicants:

To be considered for the position, applicants should submit a CV/resume and a detailed cover letter addressing how their experience relates to each of the required and desired skills as applicable. Regular post-doctoral appointments are for two years and are renewable for a third year. Outstanding candidates may be eligible for a LANL Director's Fellowship. For specific inquiries regarding the position, please contact Dr. Brandon Wilson (bwilson@lanl.gov).

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.

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

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Los Alamos National Laboratory