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 join our Electric Grid Security and Communications Department. Our department develops technologies to ensure that our evolving electric infrastructure is resilient to cyber, physical, natural, and related threats to secure operations.

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

• Research, analyze, and assess communications protocols used in or by the ‘energy edge’: distributed energy resources, EV charging infrastructure, microgrids, and utility grid (e.g. distribution substation and feeder) devices.
• Research, analyze, and assess the cybersecurity provisions (or lack thereof) in those devices and systems.
• Research, analyze, and assess cybersecurity frameworks, models, requirements, and defensive measures for those devices and systems.
• Find and evaluate open-source software code bases for communications protocols and cybersecurity frameworks.
• Help develop laboratory testing plans and processes for the above protocols and frameworks.
• Collaboratively develop prototype software implementations of next-generation controllers for ‘energy edge’ devices and systems.

The selected applicant can be a remote worker located in any U.S. State or District of Columbia. Regular or periodic travel to your assigned work location may be required.

Qualifications We Require:

• PhD in Computer Science or Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or other relevant field.
• Proven record of technical accomplishment and strong written and verbal communication skills, as evidenced by publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or presentations at scientific conferences.

Qualifications We Desire:

• Experience in R&D methods and practices, report writing, and prototype software development.
• Ability to develop software in two or more of following languages: Python, C/C++, Golang, Java, Javascript, Rust.
• Ability and willingness to learn to additional programming languages.
• Knowledge of and experience applying cybersecurity principles, analysis, frameworks, and controls.
• Strong interest in and some experience using cryptographic materials, libraries, utilities, etc. and using these in embedded and/or cloud/server software.

About Our Team:

The Electric Grid Security and Communications Department develops technologies to ensure that our evolving electric infrastructure is resilient to cyber, physical, natural, and related threats to secure operations. Our electric grid is evolving rapidly, bringing changes in the threats and vulnerabilities of the system that we must address. Efforts span a range of research, including exploration of fundamental concepts, applied analytical tools, field-based systems integrations, and codifying best practices as precursors to new codes and standards. In addressing national needs related to grid security, the department team leverages Sandia's core competencies that exist in several other departments.

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:

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.

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: 694702

Job Family: 92

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: F