Postdoctoral Appointee - Plasma Physics, Onsite

Job Description

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to advance our research and development efforts in electromagnetic plasma physics applications. Topics of interest in our group that we are targeting with this position include radiation‑driven plasma phenomena, beam interactions with dense background gases, and magnetically insulated transmission line behavior for pulsed power systems, but could include other applications of relevance to Sandia from plasma theory to directed nuclear weapons stockpile work.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Perform analyses using our group's in‑house electromagnetic plasma software simulation suite, utilizing the Department of Energy's latest supercomputing facilities.
• Collaborate closely with our partner experimental organizations for validation of those capabilities.

As such, we desire a candidate who is willing to expand their expertise across a range of plasma physics regimes and team with other analysts, developers, and experimentalists in a dynamic multi‑disciplinary environment. Journal publications, conference presentations, and Sandia mission impact will be expected outcomes from this research.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite at Sandia New Mexico.

• PhD in physics, nuclear engineering, applied mathematics, or related engineering discipline conferred within 5 years of start date.
• Experience in simulation of plasma physics phenomena.
• Experience in programming using scripting languages (Python, shell, etc.).
• Ability to obtain and maintain DOE Q clearance.

• Background in validation of plasma physics simulations using experimental data.
• Experience with utilizing high‑performance computing (HPC) resources.
• Scientific programming experience in C++.
• Demonstrated ability to work with others and contribute in a team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Willingness to be flexible in assignments and develop expertise in different areas of plasma physics.

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.