Senior/Principal R&D Physics - Z Machine High-Energy-Density and Radiation Scientist - 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.

The Radiation Experiments Department has an opening for a physicist emphasizing experimentation and data analysis to lead the study of z-pinch physics and the radiative properties of matter at the Z Facility. The focus of this research effort is to advance theoretical understanding of high energy density (HED) plasmas and develop experimental platforms to provide bright x-ray environments for radiation effects studies, to achieve high levels of fusion in the laboratory, and to investigate the fundamental behavior of HED plasmas. X-ray spectroscopy is one of the primary tools used to measure the evolution of the plasmas in these platforms.

The successful candidate will perform the following duties:

(1) Lead the design and analysis of experimental campaigns at Z,

(2) interpret measurements including spectroscopy, imaging, and power/energy to advance the understanding of z-pinch platforms on the Z facility,

(3) collaborate on diagnostic improvements to enhance these experiments at Z,

(4) build and sustain collaborations with the international HED physics community,

(5) represent the research and development in the organization through publications in science journals and presentations at conferences.

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

• Plan, conceive, and conduct research and development for Sandia's customers and sponsors.
• Collaborate as part of an integrated team to plan research, in addition to working independently to analyze data and develop new research methodologies.
• Direct systematic study toward a fuller knowledge or understanding of the fundamental aspects of phenomena and of observable facts and discover new approaches to achieve goals.
• Create new understandings and capabilities by using the scientific method's hypothesis, test, and evaluation techniques; critical review; or similar engineering research and development methods.
• Publish your findings and interact with the academic community
• Initiate, design, develop, execute, and evaluate new processes, products, or systems through basic and applied research.
• Use engineering principles to research, design, or develop structures, instruments, machines, experiments, processes, systems, theories, or technologies; to construct or operate the same with full cognizance of their design; or to forecast their behavior under specific operating conditions.
• Undertake development and possible technology transfer of solutions, products, principles or technology.
• Undertake creative work, making systematic use of investigation or experimentation, to discover or revise knowledge of reality, and use this knowledge to devise new applications.

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

$117,500 - $235,700

*Salary range is estimated, and actual salary will be determined after consideration of the selected candidate's experience and qualifications, and application of any approved geographic salary differential.

• A Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline and five (5) years of directly relevant experience, or an equivalent combination of directly relevant education and engineering or scientific experience that demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and ability to perform independent research and development.
  
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q security clearance.
  

The ideal R&D S&E Physics candidate will in addition possess the following:

• Graduate degree in Physics or a highly related field where an independent research project was a graduation requirement (e.g., independent project, thesis, or dissertation).
• Experience preparing research for dissemination through presentations at national conferences and peer-reviewed publications in top journals.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities of both projects and teams and the ability to work in loosely defined areas with minimal direction while maintaining vision for the overall mission.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.

Also, for this posting we are seeking individuals with the following experience:

• PhD in Physics, Applied Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Astronomy, or a related STEM discipline
• A technical competency in development, fielding, or analysis of x-ray diagnostics for high-energy-density plasmas, such as spectroscopy, demonstrated through publications in refereed journals
• Excellent communication skills demonstrated through invited presentations at professional physics conferences
• Experience designing, leading, and analyzing experiments on large-scale high-energy-density facilities such as Z, NIF, and/or Omega
• A demonstrated ability to develop and sustain collaborations with external organizations

Department 1688 designs and performs High Energy Density (HED) science experiments on HED facilities. The majority of our experiments are conducted at Sandias Z Facility. The department is accountable for experimental work in Pulsed Power radiation physics and application of novel target designs to achieve higher energy densities in pulsed power experiments. This work enables new applications to stockpile science with pulsed power; 1688 and its partners are responsible for taking full advantage of these new opportunities.

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.

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.