Materials Science and Engineering Post Master Student

What You Will Do

Come join the best and brightest minds in the world at one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions engaged in strategic science on behalf of U.S national security. The work we do at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) matters to our country and the world!!!

The Materials Synthesis and Integrated Devices Group (MPA-11) is seeking outstanding post-MS and post-BS candidates to join a multi-disciplinary team with on-going research efforts in fundamental and applied materials science and engineering. Active areas of research include: carbon capture, H2 production, O2 production, water purification, and critical materials separations (including isotopic separations); translation of novel membrane/sorbent chemistries to industrially relevant platforms (e.g, hollow fibers and thin films); separation system process design and techno-economic analysis; materials development and interrogation for national/global security applications (including highly filled polymers, heterogeneous catalysts, optically active materials, complex functional materials); materials/polymer formulation and processing via wet chemistry, solid compounding (extrusion), injection modeling, 2D/3D printing methods. We engage in all aspects of materials development from macromolecule synthesis, materials formulation and characterization to materials translations into application specific platforms/shapes. We utilize a broad variety of synthetic/formulation methods including wet chemistry, photochemistry, resonant acoustic processing, solid compounding, and pyrolytic methods. Materials interrogation and characterization is conducted utilizing the vast resources available at LANL.

Research opportunities include developing the underlying science to understand and improve materials functionality form aforementioned applications, designing/building/testing of materials processing and evaluation equipment, process modeling, simulation and optimization,. Candidates are expected to publish the results of their research in the open literature and present their work at relevant conferences.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

● Demonstrated experience performing work in a research oriented environment including planning and conducting hands-on laboratory experiments, analyzing results, and writing reports

● Demonstrated record of working safely in chemical laboratories

● Expert command of spoken and written English

● Good communication skills

● Ability to work effectively as a part of a team in a multi-disciplinary environment

● Strong motivation and ability to work independently

● Ability to plan and organize assignments and meet project deadlines

Education/Experience : Have obtained a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Materials Science, or other closely related discipline completed within the last 3 years or soon to be completed.

Desired Qualifications:

• Hands on laboratory/experimental experience (academic, government, or industrial)

• Experience in the areas of gas, vapors, and/or liquid separations

• Experience in membrane and sorbent materials synthesis and processing

• Proficiency with characterizing solid-state compounds or solutions using techniques such as FTIR, Raman, UV-VIS-NIR, and fluorescence spectroscopy, XRD, SEM, TEM, GC-MS, and electromechanical techniques

• Experience with polymer processing technique such as hot melt extrusion, injection molding, particle injection molding, and 3D printing

• Experience in processing modeling and techno-economic/life-cycle analysis including experience in programming platforms (e.g. Matlab or Python)

Location: This position will be physically located in Los Alamos, NM.

COVID Vaccine :

The COVID vaccine is mandatory for all Laboratory students working on-site and students coming on-site, as well as any students coming on-site for any reason; unless granted an accommodation under applicable state or federal law.

Note to Applicants: For additional information please contact Raj Singh at [email protected] . This position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

Where You Will Work

Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. LANL enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

Additional Details

Directive 206.2-Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2 . 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.

No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

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.

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 for applicant eligibility requirements.

For general program information refer to the Student Programs web page.

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

or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.

Instructions on How to Activate/Create a LANL Jobs Account:

Follow the instructions below if you have ever had an employee Z number, been a contractor, or received Los Alamos Lab insurance coverage toactivateyour account:

• Select the Click Here button if you have been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage .

• Please enter only your first and last name and current email address (an email with your validation code will be sent to you) to activate the account currently in our system.

• Enter your validation code as described in the email you receive and complete the 3-page registration form. Your account is now active and you can apply for jobs or save to your basket. Important : Enter the validation code within 15 days to activate your account or your account will be deactivated.

Follow the instructions below if you if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage tocreatean account:

• Select the Register button if you have never been employed with the Lab or received insurance coverage to Create an Account.

• From here, you will establish an account with username and password.

How to Apply:Login to Your Account to Complete the Application Process

• Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view any job’s details.

• Click Apply or Add to Basket to apply later. Tip : To apply for a job or save your basket, you must have a LANL jobs account.

If you experience any technical issues, please email [email protected] for assistance.

Appointment Type

GRA

GRA

Contact Details
Contact Name Thalacker, Lindsay K.
Email [email protected]
Work Telephone
Vacancy Name: IRC94271
Organization Name MPA-11/Materials Physics and Applications – Materials Synthesis and Integrated Devices
Minimum Salary
Maximum Salary
Req ID: IRC94271
Category: Student - Post Master