Postdoctoral Research Associate
Los Alamos National Laboratory
About the Role
The Applied Electrodynamics Group (AOT-AE) at Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking one or more Postdoctoral Research Associates in accelerator science. Exceptional candidates may be nominated for the Director's Postdoctoral Fellowship.
The AOT-AE group, located at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) accelerator site in Los Alamos, NM, conducts accelerator research, design, and commissioning, and supports various accelerator projects. These projects include:
- LANSCE accelerator operations and upgrade
- SCORPIUS/ECSE
- Development of compact accelerators for global security and space applications
- Local accelerator test stands for research and development
The group performs research on cutting-edge accelerator technology, including ion and electron sources, photocathodes, radio-frequency structures, and novel particle beam transport schemes. The successful applicant will contribute to one or more of these projects.
Training opportunities in accelerator science are available both on the job and through the US Particle Accelerator School.
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to one or more accelerator projects within the AOT-AE group.
Requirements & Tech Stack
Minimum Job Requirements
- Either (1) practical experience assembling hardware, operating complex experiments, recording and analyzing experimental data, and interpreting results, or (2) strong simulation and design experience, including comparison of results with experimental data.
- Demonstrated familiarity with the principles of electrodynamics and graduate-level mechanics.
- Demonstrated strong problem-solving skills.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Desired Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience assembling, operating, and troubleshooting accelerators, RF systems, electron or ion sources, and accelerator diagnostics.
- Demonstrated experience designing, installing, and commissioning accelerators and accelerator components.
- Demonstrated familiarity with hazards of accelerator R&D and operations.
- Experience with CAD packages, such as Solidworks.
- Experience with RF component simulation using software such as CST Studio, Comsol, Ansys HFSS, or similar tools.
- Experience with beam dynamics simulation codes such as Elegant, Parmela/Parmila, GPT, or similar tools.
- Demonstrated familiarity with data analysis tools and controls software such as Matlab, Python, Labview, or IDL.
- Excellent publication record.
- Ability to obtain a Q clearance, which normally requires U.S. citizenship.
Education/Experience
- Position requires a Ph.D. in accelerator science, physics, electrical engineering, or a related field.
Work Location
- The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM.
Salary
- Competitive salaries are based on the date the PhD degree requirements were completed or the degree was awarded.
- Starting salary for a new graduate is currently $97,000.
How to Apply
- Login to your account to complete the application process.
- Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view job details.
- Click Apply or Add to Basket to apply later.
- A LANL jobs account is required to apply for or save jobs.
- For technical issues, email [email protected].