Postdoctoral Research Associate in Radionuclide and Isotope Geochemistry

What You Will Do

The Analytical Earth Science Group (EES-15) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to investigate environmental isotopic signatures and radionuclide transport in support of subsurface nuclear proliferation monitoring. The successful candidate will conduct laboratory and field-relevant measurements to determine how physical and geochemical transport processes influence the generation, migration, and detectability of isotopic signatures in the subsurface.

The position will include laboratory experiments designed to connect isotope measurements with specific transport mechanisms. These studies may include batch reaction, diffusion cell, or column gas transport experiments conducted under conditions representative of subsurface porous and fractured geologic media. The candidate will develop and apply analytical workflows for sample preparation, experimental measurements, and data analysis using appropriate techniques. The candidate will analyze experimental and environmental samples, including isotope ratio mass spectrometry measurements of transport signatures, and integrate measurements with complementary geochemical and physical observations.

The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary team of analytical chemists, geochemists, experimentalists, and computational earth scientists. They will develop reproducible experimental and data-analysis workflows; prepare technical reports and peer-reviewed publications; present results at conferences and program reviews; and contribute to new research directions. The position is expected to be jointly mentored by scientists in Nuclear and Radiochemistry Group (C-) and EES-15.

The position is for a two-year term, with the possibility of extension for a third year based on performance and funding availability.

• A Ph.D. in geochemistry, hydrogeology, earth science, environmental science or engineering, nuclear engineering, chemical engineering, or a closely related field.
• Experience experimentally investigating reactive transport, groundwater flow and solute transport, geochemical reactions, or related coupled subsurface processes.
• Experience with isotope ratio measurements using gas source magnetic sector mass spectrometers, quadrupole mass spectrometers, and/or cavity ring down spectroscopy as well as associated preparation of gaseous and aqueous samples.
• Record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals.
• Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.

Candidates must have received a Ph.D. within the last five years in a STEM field, or will have completed all Ph.D. requirements by commencement of appointment.

• Knowledge of nuclear nonproliferation monitoring, subsurface radionuclide transport, or environmental radiochemistry.
• Laboratory experience with batch sorption, diffusion cells, columns, core flooding systems, gas transport measurements, or other experiments relevant to subsurface transport.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate modeling and experimental research and to translate laboratory-scale observations into predictions relevant to field-scale systems.

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.

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.

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…