Postdoctoral Researcher - Radiation Detection and Modeling

What You Will Do

The Space Nuclear Sensing Group (ISR-8) is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to contribute to national security programs involving radiation detection and nuclear sensing.

ISR-8 develops radiation sensing technologies and physics-based interpretation for x‑ray, gamma‑ray, and neutron detection in support of national security and space science missions. The group performs detector development, radiation transport modeling, and end‑to‑end mission systems analysis in close collaboration with engineering partners.

The successful candidate will conduct research in radiation detection with emphasis on radiation data analysis and radiation transport modeling. Responsibilities include analyzing experimental radiation measurements, developing radiation transport simulations, and comparing detector data with simulated detector response.

Candidates with experience in radiation detector physics, radiation transport simulations, or experimental radiation measurements are especially encouraged to apply.

• Modeling radiation detector response to x‑ray, gamma‑ray, and neutron sources in space
• Development of analysis methods for identifying and characterizing radiation sources using detector measurements
• Simulation and validation of detector performance using radiation transport codes (e.g., Geant4, MCNP)
• Cross‑comparison of simulated and experimental radiation measurements to improve detection algorithms and system performance

Opportunities may exist to compare simulation results with experimental detector measurements and to collaborate with teams performing detector characterization. This position provides the opportunity to work on challenging radiation sensing problems supporting national security and space missions alongside a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers across ISR and other LANL divisions.

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary research teams
• Experience with radiation transport simulation and modeling tools (e.g., Geant4, MCNP)
• Programming experience in C++, Python, or similar scientific computing languages
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally
• Strong technical documentation and record‑keeping practices

Ph.D. in physics, nuclear engineering, or a closely related field completed within the past five years (no earlier than March 2021).

• Familiarity with the space radiation environment or space‑based radiation sensing.

Q clearance. 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; obtaining such clearance requires U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Depending on the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens.

Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization is ultimately a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

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—as well as 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 Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous…