Postdoctoral Researcher - Chemical Metallurgy, Onsite

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:

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• Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

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*These benefits vary by job classification.

We're looking for a hands-on Postdoctoral Researcher to join Sandia's Metallurgy & Welding Engineering Department. You will design, build, and operate custom high temperature, vacuum, and inert atmosphere systems to develop manufacturing methods for specialty alloys with advanced magnetic, electronic, and physical properties. Expect fast paced, hardware centric work: standing up new melt architectures, commissioning equipment, and iterating experiments that directly inform alloy processing for defense, aerospace, and thermal management applications. You'll collaborate daily with technicians, engineers, and scientists across Sandia and partner organizations.

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

• Build and commission high temperature rigs (resistance/induction furnaces, crucibles, refractory linings, heat shields, pyrometry/thermocouples) for alloy casting, refining, and property measurements
• Assemble and operate vacuum/inert gas systems (roughing/turbo pumps, valves, gauges, CF/KF/ISO flanges, leak check with helium mass spec) and maintain system integrity (bakeouts, seals, feedthroughs)
• Design custom melt processing setups (charge preparation, alloying additions, fluxes, getters), execute runs, and troubleshoot thermal/flow issues in real time
• Fabricate and modify hardware (basic machining, TIG welding of stainless/nickel alloys, fixturing, jigs, brackets) to adapt equipment to experimental needs
• Integrate mechatronics and controls (motors/actuators, sensors, PID temperature control, data acquisition, interlocks, safety circuits) for reliable, repeatable operation
• Perform sample handling and postprocessing (sectioning, polishing, etching) and collect microstructure/property data; maintain clean, organized workstations and build logs
• Translate observations into process changes, linking melt behavior to microstructure and properties; document procedures, create drawings/schematics, and write concise test reports
• Collaborate and communicate findings at internal reviews and external conferences; publish peer reviewed articles on schedule.

Due to the nature of the work, the selected candidate must be able to work onsite.

• PhD in Materials Science & Engineering, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, or a related field (completed within the last five years)
• Strong foundation in chemical metallurgy and high temperature materials processing
• Demonstrated research productivity (peer reviewed publications)
• Ability to acquire and maintain a DOE Q level security clearance
  

• Hands-on experience with specialty metals: casting/refining, melt state processing, and commissioning alloy equipment
• Proven ability to design, build, and operate custom furnaces, vacuum/inert systems, and high temperature fixtures (flanges, seals, feedthroughs)
• Basic proficiency in mechatronic systems: motion control, sensors, DAQ, PID loops, and equipment interlocks
• Practical skills in welding/fabrication (e.g., TIG for stainless/nickel), basic machining, and safe tool use
• Strong written/oral communication; self-motivated, independent, and creative in fast paced, collaborative teams
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple builds/experiments as project needs evolve
  

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.

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

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.

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.

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.