Experimental Physical Chemistry - Postdoctoral Researcher

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Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is essential to innovation and creativity for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct research in in experimental physical chemistry and/or solid-state physics. You will actively participate in the on reactant and product materials related to explosives (EOS and structure properties) under static compression with diamond anvil cells (DACs) to GPa pressures and low/high temperatures (e.g., cryostat, laser heating, resistive heating) over a broad range of temperatures, 10-3500 K. This position is in the Material Dynamics and Kinetics (MDK) group within the Materials Science Division.

In this role you will

• Perform high-pressure direct volume DAC measurements via optical microscopy interferometry (OMI) technique to determine EOS of amorphous materials, liquids, and materials with mixed constituents.
• Participate in and conduct static compression experiments using DAC techniques to determine equations of state, phase diagrams, and structure properties of explosives and potential products and reactants.
• Perform powder and single-crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray spectroscopy and other X-ray synchrotron techniques as required to determine material properties.
• Perform high-pressure Raman spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, and other spectroscopic techniques to characterize materials.
• Interact with LLNL computational physicists and chemists toward developing comprehensive models that accurately predict myriad of combustion, energetic material, and propellant reaction processes.
• Document and publish results in in peer-reviewed journals and communicate research findings at national and international conferences and meetings.
• Participate in collaborative efforts with other national laboratories and academia, as needed.
• Participate in external reviews of projects at the request of DOE, as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• PhD in Physics, Chemistry, or related field.
• Experience with using DACs, performing high-pressure X-ray diffraction synchrotron experiments with DACs, and related data analysis techniques.
• Ability as an innovative experimentalist with experience in experimental design, techniques, and execution.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills including demonstrated capabilities to author technical and scientific reports, publications, and deliver scientific presentations.
• Proficient communication and interpersonal skills to work in a diverse multidisciplinary research team environment.
• Recent record of peer-reviewed publications.

Qualifications we desire

• Experience with Raman, IR and/or other spectroscopic techniques.
• Experience with cryogenic, resistive-heating, and laser-heating DAC techniques
• Experience with high-pressure single-crystal diffraction experiments and data analysis.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years.  Eligible candidates are those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2022 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Work for a premier innovative national Laboratory
• Comprehensive Benefits Package
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Collaborative, creative, inclusive, and fun team environment

Learn more about our company, selection process, position types and security clearances by visiting our Career site . 

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LLNL demonstrates its commitment to public safety by requiring that all new Laboratory employees be immunized against COVID-19 unless granted an accommodation under applicable state or federal law. This requirement will apply to all new hires including those who will be working on site, as well as those who will be teleworking.

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. In addition, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.  For additional information, please see DOE Order 472.2 (link is external) . 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position will be required to pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Equal Employment Opportunity

LLNL is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer that values and hires a diverse workforce. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please submit a request via our online form . 

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