Job Description

About Sandia: 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: + 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. What Your Job Will Be Like: We are seeking a postdoctoral appointee in the Gas-Phase Chemical Physics Department at Sandia National Laboratories (Livermore/CA) to conduct theoretical/computational research on optical sensing of molecular compounds based on quantum control with femtosecond laser pulses. This research will involve simulations of laser-driven molecular dynamics at the quantum level, utilizing state-of-the-art computational techniques such as ab initio calculations of potential energy surfaces, treatment of non-adiabatic dynamics, and quantum optimal control theory. This position involves collaboration with researchers within Sandia and at other national labs. On any given day, you may be called on to: + Work as part of a technical team conducting innovative research on quantum optimal control of laser-driven molecular dynamics + Apply state-of-the-art numerical techniques relevant to modeling, simulation, and optimization of quantum processes at the molecular level + Publish outstanding new developments in peer-reviewed scientific journals + Interact and collaborate with a diverse set of colleagues Qualifications We Require: + Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, or other closely related field + Excellent computational skills and experience with numerical tools and programming languages used in computational quantum chemistry/physics + Expertise in one or more of the following areas: quantum chemistry, chemical physics, computational chemistry/physics, applied mathematics + Publication record indicative of relevant research expertise Qualifications We Desire: + Technical expertise in electronic structure theory for the construction of molecular potential energy surfaces and methods for simulation of ultrafast molecular dynamics + Expertise in numerical simulation of quantum molecular dynamics driven by ultrafast laser fields, including methods such as Multi-Configuration Time-Dependent Hartree (MCTDH) theory and/or mixed quantum-classical dynamics techniques + Expertise in ab initio calculations of molecular potential energy surfaces + Expertise in quantum optimal control theory + Software development experience in C++, C, Fortran, Python, or related programming languages + Experience in high performance, distributed, or parallel computing About Our Team: The Gas-Phase Chemical Physics Department is part of Sandia's Combustion Research Facility (CRF) in Livermore, California, where over 100 scientists, engineers, and technologists conduct basic and applied research to improve our nation's ability to use and control combustion processes efficiently and cleanly. Under the principal sponsorship of the Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences, the Department conducts fundamental experimental, theoretical, and modeling research to develop a foundational understanding of the key chemical processes. Research areas include chemical dynamics and spectroscopy, theoretical and experimental chemical kinetics, flame chemistry and modeling, and gas-phase and particulate diagnostics development and deployment. 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. Security Clearance: This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance. Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. 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. Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date. 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. NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs: 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. Position Information: This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment. Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance. Job ID: 692670