Job Description

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. What Your Job Will Be Like: We are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to operate as part of our dynamic team including multiple organizations. This position will require independent problem solving as well as cooperative teamwork and mentorship. This will include interacting with PIs and program managers, communicating results (both written and oral), publishing papers, attending conferences, and participating in program meetings. On any given day, you may be called on to: + Develop thermosetting resin formulations to be used in highly filled composites + Perform materials characterization including thermal analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, mechanical and thermomechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, spectroscopic characterization, and rheological testing + Develop novel additive manufacturing (AM) processes and materials, with particular emphasis on photo-thermal powder bed fusion techniques + Perform polymer syntheses utilizing high-yield thermal compounding and solution-based techniques + Present results to a multi-disciplinary team of colleagues who have varying levels of familiarity with polymer science + Perform basic lab and equipment maintenance + Expertise in all the above areas is not expected, but excitement about learning new techniques and the ability to master new skills quickly will be needed Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. Join our team and achieve your goals while making a difference! Qualifications We Require: + Possess, or are pursuing, a PhD in organic chemistry, polymer science, materials science, chemical engineering, or other related STEM field. PhD is required to start + Experience in polymer formulation of thermosetting materials + Strong track record of productivity demonstrated through peer reviewed publications, patents, and presentations at technical conferences + Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance Qualifications We Desire: + Possess a Ph. D. in a field emphasizing polymer science or macromolecular engineering + Strong work ethic and ability to contribute as a member of a multi-disciplinary team + Proficiency in polymer synthetic chemistry + Experience with polymer thermomechanical characterization (DSC, TGA, DMA) + Experience with additive manufacturing methods (SLS, FDM, SLA) + Specific interest in SLS printing + Ability to communicate scientific findings at both the fundamental level as well as high level About Our Team: The Organic Materials Science Department researches and develops new and advanced materials and processing strategies to meet a wide range of specialized applications in nuclear weapons, national security and industrial applications. Our department is dedicated to scientific discovery, creativity, innovation and practical solutions for our diverse customers. The department specializes in aging science and predictive performance of polymers, synthetic organic and polymer chemistry, thermal, mechanical, chemical, and physical characterization of organic materials, and advanced manufacturing of polymers. We perform reliability studies for polymers with an emphasis on understanding degradation mechanisms, structure-property relationships, and performance margins. Current areas of R&D in the department include: developing novel encapsulant materials, creating new thermoset chemistries for additive manufacturing, developing innovative NMR techniques to understand transport phenomena in polymers, measuring and optimizing electrical performance of polymer dielectrics, elucidating the interdependency of chemical change and polymer physics over long timeframes, creating reversible and degradable chemistries, understanding polymer interfacial properties and adhesion, measuring and predicting radiation effects on polymers, monitoring of reactive thermoset cure kinetics, and quantifying permeation behavior and spatially dependent degradation processes. We perform a complete spectrum of chemical, structural, thermal, rheological, and mechanical characterization of polymeric materials that must perform over 30
- 40 year lifetimes. 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.

Security Clearance:

Position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) L security clearance to start, or equivalent active security clearance with another U.S. government agency (e.g., DOD). 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 maintain a DOE L-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 require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. 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. 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. 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: 692140

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.