Postdoctoral Appointee - Materials Chemistry

Sandia National Laboratories

Livermore, CA

Job posting number: #7135363 (Ref:688775)

Posted: March 16, 2023

Job Description

Posting Duration: 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. NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs: If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs. If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date. What Your Job Will Be Like: We are seeking a post-doctoral appointee to join our Materials Chemistry organization at Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore, CA. This position provides an opportunity to work in a dynamic research environment with accomplished research staff and excellent technologists while supporting Sandia’s materials development work and research projects for Clean Energy transition. The focus for this post-doctoral position will be to study compatibility of polymers with hydrogen environments, supporting research programs such as H-Mat and HyBlend, which are sponsored by DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office. These programs enable the transition to clean hydrogen energy technologies. Some research activities include, + Evaluation of permeation and diffusion of hydrogen and hydrogen/natural gas mixtures in polymeric seals and O-rings + Assessment of hydrogen content within polymers using thermal desorption methods + Elucidation of damage mechanisms associated with thermal and high-pressure transient hydrogen environments + Post-mortem characterization of materials using specialized analytical tools + Dissemination of research findings in reputed peer-reviewed journals and at appropriate Energy conferences On any given day, you may be called on to: + Apply the scientific method to formulate hypotheses, design experiments and test-plans, conduct laboratory activities and analyze data to deliver solutions that support our mission work + Work closely with Sandia Principal Investigators, contributing your expertise to supplement our existing technical training and problem solving skill-sets + Follow existing protocols and develop innovative approaches or methods to achieve project goals + Work independently while seeking guidance from the principal investigator as needed + Lead monthly research discussions with principal investigators and sponsors to provide project updates + Disseminate research findings through laboratory reports, scientific journal publications and presentations conferences and project review meetings Qualifications We Require: + Ph.D. in Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Polymer Physics, Polymer Science and Engineering, Chemical engineering, Materials Science and Engineering or other closely related fields + Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level Security Clearance Qualifications We Desire: + Experience in polymer processing and characterization techniques + Knowledge of the use of modern analytical techniques for characterizing polymers (examples include DMTA, GPC/SEC, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, NMR, TGA, DSC, GC-MS, XPS, XRD, XRF, AFM) + Modeling experience with respect to diffusion and permeation studies and interest in Artificial intelligence/machine learning methods + Ability to team across multiple fields and backgrounds + Ability to travel (up to 20% of time About Our Team: The Materials Chemistry Department is a group of Chemists, Material Scientists, and Chemical Engineers who actively supports the nation's nuclear weapons stockpile by providing materials expertise to SNL's non-nuclear components. We use our understanding of chemical properties to design, evaluate and exploit monomers, polymers and functional materials. Our core competencies span foams, composites, adhesives, plastics, surface finishing and electrochemical deposition. We have the facilities for materials characterization, design prototyping and WR processing.

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 vacations, 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://www.sandia.gov*These benefits vary by job classification.

Security Clearance:

This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance. Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. 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. Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date. EEO: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law. Position Information: This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment. Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance. Job ID: 688775

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.


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