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Postdoctoral Appointee- Metallurgist, Material Scientist-Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories
401(k), relocation assistance
United States, New Mexico, Albuquerque
1515 Eubank Boulevard Southeast (Show on map)
May 09, 2025

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 vacation, 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 Metallurgy and Welding Engineering department at Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Appointee candidate passionate about materials science analyses, metals joining, and characterization. We seek to find a Materials Science or Metallurgy Postdoc eager to perform basic and applied research on physical and process metallurgy projects and provide solutions to challenging problems of national security while aiming to advance the next generation of metals/alloys.

Does the potential to utilize your materials science knowledge and skills to ensure national safety and security excite you? Do you have experience, knowledge, and skills in Metallurgy, Materials Characterization, Materials Mechanics, and Materials Interfaces? Consider joining our team! Responsibilities in this role will include designing and conducting basic and applied research projects and experiments related to metals joining processes such as laser welding, additive manufacturing, and other joining processes including dissimilar alloy joining, as well as processing and characterization of advanced soft magnetic, non-ferrous, and refractory alloys. Other duties may include thermal and mechanical testing and analysis, fracture and forensic evaluation, and research on new and cutting-edge metals and alloys.

Our team works together with partners in Systems Engineering, Component Development, Strategic Programs, and with external collaborators at our sister national laboratories and manufacturing / production facilities. We consult on materials and process modifications, and we push forth proposals to advance the leading edge of materials applications. Our network is diverse and dynamic. We highlight collaborative efforts with national labs, academia, industry, and beyond.

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



  • Apply fundamental materials understanding of structure-processing-property-performance relationships to solve materials challenges, gain insight into metallurgical processes, and inform engineering decisions

  • Strengthen scientific visibility and professional networks through publication of research in peer-reviewed journals, attendance and engagement at conferences, and presentation of scientific talks

  • Engage with research teams to provide input related to metallurgical and materials issues and to weigh in where necessary regarding materials modifications and/or analysis of alternatives

  • Identify research opportunities in the advancement of materials characterization technologies



Due to the nature of the work the selected applicant must be able to work onsite in Albuquerque, New Mexico Relocation will be provided for those that qualify.

Qualifications We Require:



  • Possess, or pursuing, a PhD in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Materials Engineering, or related field, PhD must be conferred within five years prior to employment

  • Background includes experience in physical metallurgy concepts as they relate to metal processing, microstructure, and property relationships

  • Experience with microstructural and mechanical characterization of metals and alloys

  • Strong communication skills, including a track record of both written professional publications and oral presentations.

  • Able to acquire and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance



Qualifications We Desire:



  • Knowledge and experience with one or more metallurgical processing methods, including solidification processes like welding, casting, additive manufacturing

  • Experience with thermodynamic and kinetic modeling/simulation, such as Calphad

  • Demonstrated creative problem solving and research advancement through development and/or application of pioneering characterization methodologies

  • Experience with metallographic preparation methods and microscopy

  • Experience/knowledge of advanced data analytics; e.g., principal component analysis, artificial intelligence, or machine learning

  • Experience in working on multiple research projects, including relevant time management and prioritization skills

  • Interest in building positive customer/collaborator relationships, and passion for building and maintaining a professional network

  • Self-motivated with an interest in both broadening and deepening their scientific research capabilities



About Our Team:

The Metallurgy and Welding Engineering Department is the principal organization for metallurgy research and development throughout Sandia. Our expertise covers a broad range of experimental and predictive capabilities that apply fundamental process as well as applied physical and mechanical metallurgy principles. Specific technical areas include laser welding, failure analysis, mechanical testing, physical metallurgy, and others. Our scientific focus is on materials structures, properties, performance and reliability. We support an extensive variety of national security programs and we are highly engaged in providing collaborative, innovative materials science and systems-based engineering solutions.

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: 695568

Job Family: 92

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: F

Applied = 0

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