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 dedicated postdoctoral appointee to join our Process Coating Science team. The Advanced Materials Laboratory within the Materials, Physics, and Chemical Sciences Center at Sandia National Laboratories seeks a qualified scientist to conduct leading edge research in the field of continuous liquid film coating and solidification, with particular emphasis on sheet-based and continuous web modalities. The target applications for the work include membranes and electrolyzer films for hydrogen fuel cells and generation technologies. This work will be highly multi-disciplinary requiring the successful candidate to be engaged in different types of solo and collaborative laboratory work, including: + Ink formulation + Dispersion characterization including rheological measurements + Membrane processing science. The successful candidate will focus on experimental process science in the broad field of self-metered and pre-metered coating technologies (e.g. slot-die coating) and will work as a part of a multi-disciplinary team, interfacing with experimentalists, modeling and data-centric machine learning experts. Activities for this position will involve ink-formulation, fluid property characterization, process experimental design, process data collection, and analysis of experimental results. The development of an automated laboratory for data collection and analysis will be central to the position, working as a part of a larger team of experts in automation and process design. The ability to present data and results orally and through technical writing through peer-reviewed journals is expected. Experience in fields related to membranes including battery membranes, water purification, ion separation, or catalyst formulation technology will be beneficial but is not required. The opportunity to mentor undergraduate students is also available as well as the potential to propose new projects at Sandia for related research. Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite Qualifications We Require: + Possess, or are pursuing, a PhD in a science or engineering field, PhD must be conferred within five years prior to employment + Experience in fluid mechanics, colloidal chemistry, or fluid-based processing + Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE L-level security clearance Qualifications We Desire: + A committment to laboratory safety + The successful candidate will have a willingness to contribute and work effectively in a dynamic research environment as a team member + Experience in fluid characterization methods and equipment operation (contact angle, aerosol generation, optical imaging) + Rheological measurement background in colloidal or polymer solutions + Experience in laboratory manufacturing and printing techniques (3D printing, spray coating, inkjet printing, slot die or other web coating techniques) + Experience in machine learning, automated data collection, integration of mechanical or electrical sensing and robotic equipment, or database operation + Experience in membranes and materials used in the battery, catalytic support, or ion separation technologies + Able to work in team environment that includes undergraduate and graduate students; postdocs; technical staff; and technologists About Our Team: The Advanced Materials Laboratory Department, 1815, conducts research and development in a wide range of novel materials synthesis strategies and unique processing techniques to advance scientific understanding and provide practical solutions to the needs of a wide variety of Sandia customers and external entities. Specifically, activities in our research groups include; synthesizing new precursor chemistries and surface functional groups, understanding different routes to nano-scale particles and thin films, understanding the rheology of metal-particle “inks” and ceramic slurries, investigating new catalyst materials and conducting mechanistic studies of catalysis, and investigating the self-assembly of nanoparticles in 2- and 3-dimensions. Processing research and development includes; providing a “Direct Write” capability that can deliver metal nanoparticle inks to topographically challenging substrates, electrospining of fibers of vastly different compositions, and combining different materials and processing strategies to realize solar energy conversion, CO2 sequestration, and advanced medical treatments. Our customers include all of Sandia’s mission areas and numerous external collaborators. Our laboratory facilities are located at the Advanced Materials Laboratory, a leased facility on the campus of the University of New Mexico. This geographical advantage allows us to work closely with students and faculty at local high schools, community colleges and UNM, as well as universities throughout the United States. Additionally, we are able to collaborate with a variety of world-class scientists that may not be U.S. citizens. Our team is committed to nurturing environment compatible with a broad group of people and perspectives in accordance with the changing makeup of the workforce. In support of this vision, we actively recruit applicants from diverse groups of backgrounds and fosters an inclusive community. Join us and work towards your goals while making a difference! 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 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 the 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: 691744