Postdoctoral Appointee- Data Science Energy Density , Onsite

Position: Postdoctoral Appointee- Data Science for High Energy Density Applications, Onsite
About Sandia:

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

+ Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide

+ Extraordinary co-workers

+ Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world

+ Career advancement and enrichment opportunities

+ Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)

+ Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance
* World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..gov

* These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

The Radiation and Fusion Target Design department has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher to advance the use of data science and machine learning in the design and understanding of experiments on the Z facility. A particular emphasis will be on applying these methods to the emerging design space for layered MagLIF targets under tailored pulse shapes.  Most Z fusion experiments utilize a synchronous short pulse waveform to provide maximum power to the target and minimize time for instability growth.  

However, the recent proposal of multi-layer targets utilizing heterogeneous materials opens the design space to improve performance by considering differences in material response.  A successful applicant for this position will utilize data science techniques to leverage the large existing set of data developed at the Z machine and to collaborate with other members of the pulsed power sciences center to explore this design space and propose novel fusion experiments for the Z machine.

The successful candidate will perform the following duties:

+ Partner on the design and analysis of experimental campaigns at Z

+ Leverage advances in machine learning to enable more rapid design iteration for Z experiments

+ Represent the research and development in the organization through publications in scientific journals and presentation at conferences

On any given day, you may be called on to:

+ Collaborate as part of an integrated team to plan research, in addition to working to improve the utilization of data science and machine learning techniques at the Z facility.

+ Develop data pipelines, automated analysis methods, and machine-learning tools to improve the interpretation and design of Z experiments.

+ Publish your findings and interact with the academic community.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant will be required to work onsite

Qualifications We Require:

+ PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Astronomy, or a related discipline (PhD must be conferred within five (5) years prior to employment)

+ Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

+ Experience in the curation and utilization of scientific data to accelerate research

+ A technical competency in Bayesian or other relevant optimization methodologies

+ Excellent communication skills demonstrated at technical conferences

About Our Team:

Department 1684 works to design and analyze fusion and radiation producing experiments on Sandia's Z facility.  Scientists in the department use a variety of tools, including scientific computing, artificial intelligence and theoretical models to advance the frontiers of high energy density plasma experiments.  We have a close collaborative relationship with sister organizations tasked with performing Z experiments and developing diagnostics to better understand their characteristics.  

This work enables new applications to stockpile science with pulsed power.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position…