Research Prime

R&D Physicist - Computational Modeling and Simulation of Low Temperature Plasmas (Experienced)

Organisation Name: Sandia National Laboratory
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Country: United States

Job Description:

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.

COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate:

Sandia demonstrates its commitment to public safety in the national interest by requiring that all new hires be fully vaccinated or have an approved medical or religious accommodation before commencing employment. The requirement also applies to those who are telecommuting and working virtually.

Any concerns about the ability to meet this requirement should be directed to HR Solutions at (505) 284-4700.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

The Applied Optical and Plasma Science Department 1865 seeks an experienced R&D Staff Scientist to conduct research related to low temperature plasma physics via computational simulation and modeling for a wide range of applications. You will use state-of-the-art computational tools and clusters to develop new scientific insights and aid Sandia in its mission to serve the nation. In collaboration with experimental team members you will develop new models for low temperature plasma related systems including challenging model performance against validation data from coordinate experiments. You will participate as a team contributor lead existing project teams and develop/propose/champion new projects to various partners internal and external to Sandia National Laboratories.

On any given day you may be called on to:

  • Establishing new scientific insight on the physical mechanisms underlying low temperature plasmas
  • Using existing simulation capabilities and developing new simulation capabilities to address new areas of plasma science
  • Developing or otherwise supporting the development of new physical models
  • Verification and Validation of plasma simulation tools in collaboration with experimentalists
  • Publishing scientific results and participating in the scientific community including conferences workshops and external leadership opportunities (e.g. conference organizations journal editors advisory boards etc.)
  • Impacting design and operation of existing and future devices and technologies relying on plasma dynamics
  • Leading projects working with team members on developing project plans and being the primary interface with various partners and customers
  • Mentoring of staff post-doctoral appointees and student interns

This position is eligible for telecommuting and the selected applicant must live within a reasonable distance for commuting to the assigned work location when necessary.

Qualifications We Require:

  • PhD in Physics Electrical Engineering Nuclear Engineering Mathematics or a relevant STEM field plus a bachelors degree in a relevant STEM field and a minimum of 1 additional year of experience or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
  • History of publication of results in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at relevant scientific conferences and topical workshops
  • Experience using and/or developing computational models of physical phenomena
  • Experience in one or more of the following: plasma chemistry (including catalysis) semiconductor/microelectronics processing plasmas electrical discharge (vacuum to atmospheric pressures low to high currents) kinetic non-equilibrium physics hydrodynamics dusty plasmas space propulsion plasma-surface interactions laser-surface interactions or solid-state physics
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills
  • Motivation and ability to tackle complicated sometimes not well-defined technical problems independently
  • Ability to develop proposals for funding opportunities
  • Experience in code validation efforts including working with experimentalists conducting experiments for validation directly or other demonstrated validation process
  • Experience with experimental systems for investigation of low temperature plasma properties (there is an option to perform a mix of modeling and experimental work)
  • Proficiency in code development with C/C+
  • + Experience in model and algorithm development for computational simulation (PIC DSMC fluid hybrid FDM FEM FVM electrostatic electromagnetic)
  • Experience using HPC platforms

About Our Team:

The Applied Optical and Plasma Sciences Department has three main thrust areas: Laser and Optical Diagnostics Low Temperature Plasma Physics and Thermal Characterization of Materials. The Laser and Optical Diagnostics thrust conducts innovative research and application development in LIDAR remote sensing laser sources and characterization and optical spectroscopy providing unique real-time non-contact in-situ optical diagnostic capabilities. The Low Temperature Plasma physics thrust investigates a range of phenomena from fundamental plasma physics to the application of plasma science for understanding device operation. A tightly coupled group of experimental and computational physicists develop novel experimental diagnostics and advanced computational models targeting plasma-surface interactions arc discharge (vacuum to high pressure) and complex plasma chemistry. The Thermal Characterization thrust researches the fundamental thermal properties and decomposition products and pathways of a wide variety of materials experiencing an expansive range of environments. This work entails both innovative diagnostics as well as developing custom diagnostics and techniques to provide information on the underlying science of thermal behaviors of materials.

About Sandia:

Sandia National Laboratories is the nations 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 vacations 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.

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.

Job ID: 681487


Posting Date: Mar 23, 2022
Closing Date:
Organisation Website/Careers Page: https://rr.jobsyn.org/75C4BEE92D9F4AD885D2F9D60C78C14C


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