Post-Bachelor's Research Associate - Materials Science & Robotic Automation

What You Will Do

Join a multidisciplinary experimental team within the Materials Physics and Applications organization at Los Alamos National Laboratory focused on understanding how materials deform and fail under a wide range of conditions. This work supports the Laboratory's national security mission by improving the fundamental understanding of material behavior and enabling more predictive models for critical systems.

In this role, you will help modernize and enhance experimental capabilities through the development and implementation of robotic and automated laboratory workflows. You will work alongside materials scientists and engineers to improve the efficiency, repeatability, and quality of materials characterization and testing, with a particular focus on metals and alloys. This is an opportunity to apply both materials science knowledge and hands‑on robotics/automation skills to real‑world experimental challenges in a national laboratory environment.

• Develop and deploy robot‑assisted workflows for sample preparation, handling, and microscopy
• Integrate robotic systems with laboratory instruments, including optical and electron microscopy tools
• Support materials characterization experiments, particularly for deformed metals and alloys
• Contribute to automation, data collection, and analysis pipelines using programming tools such as Python or MATLAB
• Collaborate closely with an interdisciplinary team to improve experimental throughput and data quality
• Document methods, workflows, and results in technical reports

• Fundamentals of materials science, including microstructure and mechanical behavior of metals and alloys
• Basic understanding of materials characterization techniques (optical or electron microscopy)
• Introductory knowledge of robotics, automation systems, or mechatronics concepts
• Familiarity with data acquisition and analysis methods

• Programming skills in Python, MATLAB, or similar for data analysis or automation tasks
• Hands‑on laboratory skills, including sample preparation or experimental setup
• Ability to troubleshoot experimental or hardware/software issues
• Technical communication skills, including writing clear summaries of work and results

• Ability to learn and adapt quickly in a multidisciplinary research environment
• Ability to work effectively in a team of scientists and engineers
• Ability to apply engineering and scientific concepts to solve practical problems
• Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks across multiple activities

• Bachelor's degree in Materials Science, Materials Engineering, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, or a related field completed within the past 3 years from an accredited institution. Candidates with interdisciplinary experience in both materials science and automation/robotics are strongly encouraged to apply.
• Must have graduated with a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or above on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent)

• Hands‑on experience with robotic systems, automation platforms, or mechatronics (robotic arms, motion control, or lab automation equipment)
• Experience integrating hardware and software systems, including instrument control, scripting, or sensor integration
• Familiarity with optical or electron microscopy and image‑based characterization techniques
• Experience with metallographic sample preparation and/or mechanical testing of materials
• Proficiency in Python or similar programming languages for automation, data acquisition, or analysis
• Experience with computer‑aided design (CAD), engineering drawings, and tolerancing
• Experience with data management, analysis pipelines, or machine vision for experimental workflows
• Demonstrated ability to work in an interdisciplinary research environment bridging materials science and engineering systems

Hybrid, Los Alamos, NM. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location.

• 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…