Post-doctoral Research Associate position at Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, California

Post-doctoral Research Associate position at Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, California USA

The Gas Phase Chemical Physics department at the Combustion Research Facility, Sandia National Laboratories, located in Livermore, California, USA, has an opening for a post-doctoral researcher in the research group of Dr. Timothy Zwier. This position is open to both US citizens and foreign nationals. The anticipated annual salary for the position is >$100,000 US.

We are seeking a motivated postdoctoral appointee to assist us in fundamental 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.

On any given day, you will:

• 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, and 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 Gas Phase Chemical Physics 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.

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.

The Combustion Research Facility is located at the Livermore, CA site of Sandia National Laboratories. The surroundings offer an extraordinary living experience, at the edge of the Bay Area (San Francisco, the East Bay, and Silicon Valley), with easy access to cultural, sight‑seeing, entertainment, and dining activities. Livermore itself is known for its excellent wineries (more than 60 in the Tri‑Valley area) and excellent parks for hiking, biking, and running.

Outdoor activities also abound along the nearby Pacific coast, Napa Valley, and the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

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.