Postdoctoral Appointee, Z Machine -Energy-Density and Radiation Science - Onsite

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.

The Radiation Experiments Department has an opening for a postdoctoral physicist emphasizing experimentation and data analysis to support studies of z‑pinch physics and the radiative properties of matter at the Z Facility. The focus of this research effort is to advance theoretical understanding of high energy density (HED) plasmas and develop experimental platforms to provide bright x‑ray environments for radiation effects studies, to achieve high levels of fusion in the laboratory, and to investigate the fundamental behavior of HED plasmas.

X‑ray spectroscopy is one of the primary tools used to measure the evolution of the plasmas in these platforms.

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

• Collaborate as part of an integrated team to plan research, in addition to working independently to analyze data and develop new research methodologies.
• Perform systematic studies toward a fuller knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and observable facts and discover new approaches to achieve goals.
• Create new understandings and capabilities by using the scientific method’s hypothesis, test, and evaluation techniques; critical review; or similar engineering research and development methods.
• Publish your findings and interact with the academic community.
• Use engineering principles to research, design, or develop structures, instruments, machines, experiments, processes, systems, theories, or technologies; to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions.
• Undertake creative work, making systematic use of investigation or experimentation, to discover or revise knowledge of reality, and use this knowledge to devise new applications.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite.

• PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Astronomy, or a related STEM discipline (PhD must be conferred within five (5) years prior to employment).
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance.

• A technical competency in development, fielding, or analysis of x‑ray diagnostics for high‑energy‑density plasmas, such as spectroscopy, demonstrated through publications in refereed journals.
• Excellent communication skills demonstrated through presentations at professional physics conferences.
• Experience designing, leading, and analyzing experiments on large‑scale high‑energy‑density facilities such as Z, NIF, and/or Omega.

Department 1688 designs and performs High Energy Density (HED) science experiments on HED facilities. The majority of our experiments are conducted at Sandia’s Z Facility. The department is accountable for experimental work in Pulsed Power radiation physics and application of novel target designs to achieve higher energy densities in pulsed power experiments. This work enables new applications to stockpile science with pulsed power;

1688 and its partners are responsible for taking full advantage of these new opportunities.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre‑employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement…