Postdoctoral Appointee - Molecular Spectroscopy of Complex Mixtures, Onsite

Overview

Postdoctoral Appointee - Molecular Spectroscopy of Complex Mixtures, onsite

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation. The Gas Phase Chemical Physics Department conducts basic and applied research to improve our nation’s capabilities in gas‑phase chemical physics. Research areas include chemical dynamics and spectroscopy, advanced diagnostics, ultrafast physics and chemistry, chemical kinetics, multi‑phase chemical physics, high‑pressure combustion, and gas‑surface interactions.

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We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral appointee to assist us in research exploring the microwave and laser spectroscopy of large molecules, molecular clusters, cryo‑cooled ions and free radicals. The successful candidate will gain expertise in broadband microwave spectroscopy, multi‑resonant laser spectroscopy and photochemistry.

• Collaborate with researchers to extend the capabilities of our cryo‑cooled buffer gas cell and laser spectroscopy experiments
• Use broadband microwave spectroscopy methods to acquire rotational spectra of molecules, molecular clusters, and transient intermediates such as free radicals
• Use pulsed, tunable IR and UV lasers to determine molecular and cluster structures and initiate photochemistry in them
• Analyze spectra and compare the results to the predictions of calculations using our state‑of‑the‑art computational facilities
• Advance the larger goals of the project, proposing innovative solutions and new directions

The postdoctoral research associate will collaborate with a multi‑investigator team, present results at national/international meetings, and publish research in high‑profile peer‑reviewed journals.

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

• PhD in chemistry, physics, or a closely related field
• Significant experience in molecular spectroscopy, chemical dynamics, and/or mass spectrometry in the gas phase
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, as evidenced by publications in peer‑reviewed journals and/or presentations at scientific conferences

• Experience with vacuum chambers, cold traps, fast electronics, and lasers
• Experience with electronic structure calculations
• Ability to address complex problems creatively, and to work effectively both independently and in collaboration with other researchers
• Experience with Python, LabVIEW, MATLAB, PGOPHER, microwave software environments

The Gas Phase Chemical Physics Department is part of Sandia's Combustion Research Facility (CRF) in Livermore, California, where over 100 scientists, engineers, and technologists conduct basic and applied research to improve our nation's capabilities in gas‑phase chemical physics. Under the principal sponsorship of the Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences, the department conducts fundamental experimental, theoretical, and modeling research to develop a foundational understanding of the complex chemical reactions that occur either directly in the gas phase or influenced by it.

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.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the posting date. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.

Sandia will…