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What You Will Do

Join our team and become a planetary defender! The XCP-8 (Applied Computational Physics, Verification and Analysis) group at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) seeks a post-doctoral candidate in the area of numerical modeling

for planetary sciences, with an emphasis on continuum-scale modeling of bolides, airbursts, and their atmospheric effects, using radiation hydrodynamics codes and high-performance computing resources, to model airbursts like the

1908 Tunguska event and the 2013 Chelyabinsk event. This work will be done as a part of the LANL Planetary Defense team, under the mentorship of Dr. Cathy Plesko and Dr. Mark Boslough. A successful candidate will test, verify, and

validate (as appropriate) relevant physics models and may extend, develop, and/or implement needed physics models within the Advanced Simulation and Computing (ASC) code base in order to carry out the airburst simulations.

The successful candidate will be expected to work in a team environment, to test computational physics models in large production software, publish the research in peer-reviewed journals, and present work at international conferences.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Planetary sciences

You will need an understanding of small solar system body composition, atmospheric dynamics, and impact processes.

Computational geophysics

For this role you must have demonstrated use of continuum scale numerical modeling methods applied to geophysical or atmospheric science problems.

Shock physics

You will need to be proficient in shock physics, aerodynamics, and radiation hydrodynamics.

Publications & Presentations

You will need to have demonstrated scientific productivity as evidenced by publications, scientific reports, presentations

Communication

Communication skills are critical to this position. You will be expected to participate in inter-agency collaborations with NASA and FEMA, table-top emergency response drills, and education and public outreach (EPO). Excellent written and oral communication skills are required.

Collaboration

Teamwork is essential to the success of our group. As such, you will need to have demonstrated the ability to function effectively in a team environment with a willingness to learn new skills and be flexible in work assignments. This includes exhibiting professional conduct in interactions with co-workers and supervisors.

Clearance

This position requires the ability to obtain a Q clearance, which typically requires US citizenship.

Education/Experience:

A Ph.D. in Planetary Sciences, Earth Sciences, Geophysics, Physics, Astrophysics, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics or related field is required. The candidate must be within 5 years of completion of Ph.D. at time of being proposed for review by the committee, or will have completed all Ph. D. requirements by commencement of the appointment.

Desired Qualifications:

Programming

It would be great if you had proficiency in Python, C, C++, or Fortran, machine learning, or experience with programming for novel architectures including GPUs.

Planetary Sciences

It would be a plus if you had an understanding or experience with meteoritics, the mechanical behavior of geologic materials under shock loading, or atmospheric sciences.

Work Location: The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos, NM. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.

Note to Applicants:

Applicants should submit a CV/resume and comprehensive cover letter addressing their qualifications and how those qualifications meet the job requirements. Regular post-doctoral appointments are for two years and are renewable for a third year. Outstanding candidates (with approximately 15 - 20 articles in reputable, peer-reviewed journals) may be eligible for a LANL Director's 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.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance. and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 (https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0472.2-BOrder-chg1-pgchg) for additional information.

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.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 (https://int.lanl.gov/policy/documents/P701.pdf) for applicant eligibility requirements.

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.

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