Post-Master Position in Computer Science and Data Science Materials Characterization

What You Will Do

The Materials Science & Technology Group (MST-8) is seeking a highly motivated post-master researcher with a strong background in computer science, data science, and automation to develop advanced analysis software and automated workflows for next-generation materials characterization.

The successful candidate will design, implement, and optimize automated data analysis pipelines for complex, high-dimensional, and multimodal experimental datasets. Responsibilities include developing 3D microstructural analysis tools, computer vision algorithms, and data-driven methods that enable scalable and reproducible materials analysis.

You will contribute to the development and extension of METIS3D, a graph-based microstructural analysis platform, by implementing new microstructural descriptors, improving scalability and memory efficiency, and enabling automated, graph-based and data-driven analyses. In addition, you will develop novel digital image correlation (DIC) and computer vision methods to detect microstructural discontinuities (e.g., slip, twinning) and accurately quantify local strain evolution during deformation experiments.

This role involves close collaboration within a highly interdisciplinary team spanning materials science, applied mathematics, and computer science.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

• Degree in Computer Science or Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
• Strong background in data science, algorithms, and software engineering
• Proficiency in C++, Python, and Matlab
• Solid foundation in computer vision, numerical methods, and mathematical analysis
• Experience developing automated analysis workflows and research-grade software

Education/

Experience:

• Master's degree in computer science, Electrical Engineering, Completed withing the last two years
• Must have earned a Master's degree from an accredited institution (or international equivalent) within
• the last 3 years in an appropriate field, Must have graduated with a cumulative GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).

Desired

Qualifications:

• Experience handling multimodal and high-dimensional datasets
• Familiarity with workflow automation, scripting, and pipeline development
• Experience with graph algorithms and complex data structures
• Experience working with large C++ codebases and performance optimization
• Background in signal processing and optimization methods
• Experience with digital image correlation or image-based deformation analysis
• Exposure to 3D microstructural analysis (e.g., EBSD or tomography data) is a plus
• Self-motivated and able to work independently
• Strong communication skills
• Comfortable working in an interdisciplinary research environment

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

Note to Applicants:

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 benefits package includes:

• 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)

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

No Clearance:
Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

New-Employment Drug Test:
The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of…