Post Doc

What You Will Do

The Radioisotope Power Systems (RPS) Design Engineering Team serves as the nation’s central hub for expertise in radioisotope power system design, bringing together deep technical capabilities in actinide chemistry, materials science of ceramics, high‑temperature metallurgy, composite engineering, thermal and structural analysis, re‑entry and impact modeling, systems engineering, and safety analysis. Guided by a vision to advance rigorous, modern engineering practices, the team defines and maintains the technical baseline for RPS designs while supporting the U.S. Government, program offices, and production agencies as trusted subject‑matter experts.

Its scope spans heat‑source design, safety and requirements flowdown, anomaly resolution, and in‑depth research through modeling and experimentation.

Responsibilities include:

• Optimization of the formation of ceramic solids by hot‑pressing and characterization of these ceramic solids. Measurement and analysis of powder characteristics affecting coherence of hot‑presses solids, including particle size distribution, surface area, and surface energy, and relating these characteristics to characteristics of the ceramic solid.
• Working with radioactive materials or hazardous materials.
• Applying scientific or engineering principles, practices, and tools to continuously improve manufacturing processes.
• Contributing to the successful completion of technical projects by assisting in the analysis, validation, implementation, and verification of practical solutions, and applying novel problem‑solving methods to solve engineering problems.
• Assisting in the writing of technical documents and presenting technical work at internal and external meetings, seminars, and conferences.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

• Training and experience in ceramic engineering or ceramic fabrication, as demonstrated by experience in research, analysis, and publications in the field.
• Analytical thinking skills, including demonstrated experience in the analysis, manipulation, and interpretation of data.
• Demonstrated ability to document technical results in a formal method/format.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.

Education/

Experience:

Position requires a doctorate degree in science or engineering from an accredited institution.

• Demonstrated experience in designing and executing experiments to evaluate the performance of hot‑pressing of actinide oxide solids and to improve the quality of manufacturing processes.
• Experience with gas management in nuclear fuels.
• Experience with modelling of density gradients and thermal loading in ceramic solids, in particular nuclear fuels.

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

• 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 parental leave.
• Award‑winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually).
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance.
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays).
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs.
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50‑mile radius).

Clearance: Q. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization is ultimately a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please e‑mail applyhelp or call .