Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Geoscience and Volcanic Hazards

What You Will Do

Join a dynamic team of scientists tackling some of the most pressing energy and environmental challenges of our time. The Earth and Environmental Sciences Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking outstanding postdoctoral candidates at the intersection of computational geoscience, geologic hazards, and subsurface systems. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team developing predictive models and integrated assessments for complex Earth systems.

An initial research emphasis will be advancing volcanic hazard assessments relevant to Laboratory facilities and operations, with particular attention to the nearby Jemez Mountains-Valles Caldera region and other volcanic sources in northern New Mexico. The position also offers opportunities to contribute to broader EES research and mission-driven programs in natural hazards, subsurface energy systems, and infrastructure resilience
-work that directly supports the Laboratory's mission of solving national security challenges through cutting-edge scientific innovation.

Join a dynamic team of scientists tackling some of the most pressing energy and environmental challenges of our time. The Earth and Environmental Sciences Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking outstanding postdoctoral candidates at the intersection of computational geoscience, geologic hazards, and subsurface systems. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team developing predictive models and integrated assessments for complex Earth systems.

An initial research emphasis will be advancing volcanic hazard assessments relevant to Laboratory facilities and operations, with particular attention to the nearby Jemez Mountains-Valles Caldera region and other volcanic sources in northern New Mexico. The position also offers opportunities to contribute to broader EES research and mission-driven programs in natural hazards, subsurface energy systems, and infrastructure resilience
-work that directly supports the Laboratory's mission of solving national security challenges through cutting-edge scientific innovation.

The position will combine computational and probabilistic modeling, geologic and geophysical data analysis, and uncertainty quantification. The successful candidate will have opportunities to develop publication-driven research while also contributing to programmatic work supporting Laboratory and DOE/NNSA needs. Specific research directions may include:

• Developing a regional volcanic source catalog and tectono‑magmatic framework for volcanic centers that could plausibly affect Los Alamos
• Developing scenario-based and probabilistic models of tephra fallout, lava flows, pyroclastic density currents, lahars, and coupled or cascading volcanic hazards
• Integrating geologic, geophysical, geochemical, atmospheric, and remote‑sensing observations into site‑specific hazard assessments
• Applying uncertainty quantification, statistical methods, machine learning, and high‑performance computing to complex geoscience problems
• Investigating thermal, hydrologic, mechanical, and chemical processes in volcanic, geothermal, and other subsurface systems
• Contributing to multidisciplinary program development and sponsored research across EES mission areas

You will publish results in peer‑reviewed journals, present work at national and international conferences, and collaborate within multidisciplinary research teams. The position offers substantial latitude to help shape a growing volcanic hazards capability while building connections to established EES programs in computational geoscience, coupled‑process modeling, energy and subsurface systems, and national security science.

• Comp…