Additive Manufacturing Postdoctoral Research Associate

What You Will Do

The Sigma Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a highly motivated individual for the position of postdoctoral research assistant with a focus on optimizing thermal spray coatings for a wide variety of materials and applications. This work involves the programming and operation of industrial robots. The selected candidate will work with a team to creatively apply their additive, coating, or robotic experience to a growing number of research programs, supporting production operations at NNSA sites, develop process solutions to spray coating challenges, and assist in maturing cold spray and thermal spray processes within the nuclear weapons complex.

In this role you will take responsibility for assigned portions of projects with the support of a mentor and directly interface with a variety of internal and external collaborators, including universities, private industry, and other government laboratories.

This position resides on Sigma-2's Additive Manufacturing Team which oversees a wide variety of solutions to meet research and customer requirements, including metal spray coatings, laser powder bed fusion, electron beam additive manufacturing, ceramic additive manufacturing, and associated processing. Team members often work in multiple disciplines and have the opportunity to learn new methods, as well as develop new techniques. Team research centers on many areas, including weapons, defense, aerospace, global security, nuclear energy, accelerator physics, fuel production methods, repair technologies, sensors, and more.

If you are passionate about pushing the boundaries of additive manufacturing and have the technical expertise to make a real impact, we encourage you to apply. This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic, innovative team and contribute to the development of cutting‑edge manufacturing solutions.

• Hands‑on physical research experience specifically in the areas of thermal and/or cold spray coatings.
• Experience with robotics (programming or operation).
• Desire to work on production‑centric manufacturing research and development activities.
• Experience working in a team environment.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated by experience presenting research results at technical conferences, authoring peer‑reviewed journal articles and ability to interact with colleagues.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance which normally requires U.S. Citizenship.

• Self‑motivated and independent researcher who has demonstrated experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team.
• Experience with thermal spray or additive manufacturing equipment and operation.
• Experience with mechanical property testing and characterization.
• Experience using modeling and simulation codes such as C++, Abaqus, Ansys, Comsol or similar.
• Experience with non‑destructive examination techniques, such as radiographic testing, ultrasonic testing, electromagnetic testing, penetrant testing, proof testing, or similar.
• Demonstrated self‑starter with the ability to effectively work in a team environment.

Doctoral Degree in Metallurgy, Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Welding Engineering or a related field.

When submitting your application electronically to this vacancy, please submit the following:

• A cover letter summarizing your skills, research areas of interest, and desire to work at Los Alamos National Laboratory.
• A curriculum vitae or résumé that contains the following information: education, major, GPA, relevant work experience, relevant technical skills.
• A list of professional references.

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

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) and 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…