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:

The Component Science and Mechanics Department is seeking a highly motivated individual to join our diverse and inclusive team and contribute to ongoing computational solid mechanics research and development. This postdoctoral appointment will have the opportunity to develop numerical models spanning multiple engineering length scales, collaborating with applied mathematicians and data scientists, to advance Sandia’s computational simulation capabilities in the areas of agile qualification and materials aging through AI/ML-assisted finite-element modeling. Further, the appointee will be mentored by several of Sandia’s Distinguished staff members and benefit from interaction with highly regarded university collaborators, making this a truly unique opportunity.

On any given day, you will have the opportunity to:

• Use state-of-the-art finite element codes and world class HPC resources to support the design, development, and qualification of complex engineering structures and systems.
• Apply advanced solid mechanics knowledge, e.g., fracture mechanics, crystal plasticity, and advanced mathematics to support the research and development of capabilities to predict fracture, failure, and fatigue of engineering structures.
• Partner with in-house code development teams to develop, implement, and utilize predictive computational tools.
• Partner with material scientists and experimentalists to design and conduct experiments to facilitate physics discovery and model validation.
• Develop a robust research portfolio through peer-reviewed journal publications, conference presentations, and participation in professional societies.

The selected applicant can work a combination of onsite and offsite work. The selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary.

Qualifications We Require:

• PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Aerospace Engineering, Civil Engineering, Materials Science, or related field
• Experience in the foundations of solid mechanics, including strength of materials, continuum mechanics, and/or mechanics of materials
• Strong communication skills as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and/or external presentations at appropriate scientific conferences
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

• Experience performing solid mechanics finite element calculations
• Knowledge of the microstructural mechanisms associated with mechanical fatigue and experience modeling them at the mesoscale
• Experience with data-driven methods such as machine learning and/or artificial intelligence
• Experience with a programming language such as Python, C, C++, Julia, MATLAB, and/or Rust.
• Knowledge of and/or experience with experimental methods for material characterization and fracture

About Our Team:

The Component Science and Mechanics Department performs the research, development, and engineering to develop advanced engineering models, and deploy state-of-the-art computational simulation capabilities to enable physically credible assessment of engineering components. Core capabilities developed and maintained by the department include adaptive fracture and failure models, models to simulate complex engineering mechanisms and components, reduced-order models for nonlinear dynamical systems, and methods to leverage AI/ML for simulation efficacy.

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:

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 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: 692950