Job Information
Los Alamos National Laboratory Experimental Chemistry/Geochemistry Postdoctoral Positions in Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
The Energy and Natural Resources Security Group (EES-16) in the Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has two openings for postdoctoral research associates in experimental chemistry/geochemistry. The two focus areas are: 1) the fate and transport of uranium and other contaminants at in situ leaching uranium mining sites and 2) high temperature aqueous speciation and mineral chemistry of actinides and lanthanides. The primary focus of the positions will be on experimental determination of thermodynamic properties of aqueous species and minerals and their transport behavior in a range of settings relevant to the transport of contaminants including at high temperature and pressure and conditions. The experimental work will involve performing thermodynamic solubility experiments at high temperature, assessing the transport of contaminants, thermodynamic modeling, and transport modeling. The studies will support a range of national security problems including the identification of conditions favorable for critical elements and strategic metals mining, development of new separation technologies, environmental remediation and natural attenuation assessments, and enabling a robust assessment of the safety of nuclear waste repositories. The selected individuals will work in a multidisciplinary team involving geochemists, theoretical chemists, chemical engineers, and subsurface flow modelers. The successful candidate will also have opportunities to be involved in on other national securities related projects, such as non-proliferation studies.
The successful candidate is expected to publish papers in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and to present project outcomes at conferences. The term of the appointment is two (2) years, with the option to extend to a third year depending on performance and funding availability. We encourage applicants with diverse backgrounds to apply.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Ph.D. in a STEM field
Record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals
Hands-on experience conducting high temperature hydrothermal experiments or fate and transport experiments
Familiarity with fundamental concepts of mineral and aqueous thermodynamics and geochemical modeling
Education/Experience : Candidates must have received a Ph.D. within the last five years in a STEM field or will have completed all Ph.D. requirements by commencement of appointment.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience with in-situ spectroscopy techniques or autoclave solubility techniques
Experience with thermodynamic modeling of complex natural systems
Experience with modeling contaminants fate and transport and/or geochemical modeling
Experience with proposal development
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Note to Applicants:
The application package consists of a CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should explicitly address how you meet each of the minimum requirements and any of the desired skills, if applicable. No applicant is expected to have all of the desired skills. Anyone who meets the minimum requirements is encouraged to apply. Applicants will be screened immediately. Candidates with questions can contact Artaches (Artas) Migdissov; artas@lanl.gov.
LANL offers competitive salary and benefits. Candidates of high-level performance may be considered for a Director's Fellowship, Seaborg Fellowship, J. Robert Oppenheimer Fellowship, Richard P. Feynman Fellowship, or Frederick Reines Fellowship.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
§ Dental and vision insurance
§ Free basic life and disability insurance
§ Paid childbirth and parental leave
§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs
§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 (https://directives.nnsa.doe.gov/supplemental-directive/sd-0206-0002) . Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.