Summary
Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Microstructure Response and Degradation Science (MRDS) team within the MST-8 Structure/Property Relations group. The position focuses on microstructure-aware materials modeling, specifically mesoscale modeling of plasticity, recrystallization, phase transformations, and damage in heterogeneous crystalline metals under demanding service conditions.
Materials Modeling of Plasticity and Microstructure Evolution Postdoctoral Research Associate
Overview
| Feature | Details |
| Position Title | Materials Modeling of Plasticity and Microstructure Evolution Postdoctoral Research Associate |
| Requisition Number | IRC145420 |
| Designation | Postdoctoral Research Associate |
| Organization | MST-8 / Structure/Property Relations |
| Institution | Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) |
| Location | Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA (Onsite) |
| Appointment Duration | 2 years (with potential 3rd year extension based on performance and funding) |
| Security Clearance | Not required (Pre-employment background checks and drug testing apply) |
Designation
Postdoctoral Research Associate (Postdoc)
Research Area
- Microstructure-aware materials modeling
- Mesoscale modeling of plasticity, recrystallization, phase transformations, and damage
- Crystal plasticity constitutive modeling
- Reduced-order model (ROM) development and multiphysics simulations
- Nuclear structural materials and cladding degradation under extreme operational/off-normal conditions
Location
Los Alamos, New Mexico, USA (Onsite)
Eligibility & Qualifications
Educational Requirements
- A Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a closely related engineering discipline completed within the last 5 years or soon to be completed.
Minimum Job Requirements
- Strong knowledge of deformation mechanisms in metals (dislocation plasticity, deformation twinning, and grain-boundary-mediated deformation).
- Demonstrated experience with crystal plasticity, microstructure evolution, or mechanistic modeling of mechanical behavior in crystalline materials.
- Proven understanding of metal deformation behavior, microstructure evolution, and microstructure-property relationships.
- Experience using either Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) or finite element-based mechanical solvers.
- A strong track record of publications in peer-reviewed journals.
Desired Qualifications
- Experience with finite element-based simulations and/or FFT-based simulations.
- Familiarity with phase field modeling and/or modeling phase transformations.
- Experience with the MOOSE-FE framework.
- Experience modeling hexagonal closed-packed (HCP) metals (e.g., Zr, Ti, Mg alloys) or body-centered cubic (BCC) / body-centered tetragonal (BCT) materials (e.g., ferritic-martensitic steels).
- Knowledge of hydrogen effects in metals and hydride formation mechanisms.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, or Fortran.
- Experience with Cohesive Zone Modeling (CZM).
Citizenship & Access Restrictions
- Note to Applicants: In compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act, non-green card holders who are citizens of the People’s Republic of China (including Hong Kong and Macau), Iran, North Korea, and the Russian Federation are restricted from accessing national security laboratory facilities.
Job Description
- Constitutive Model Development: Lead the development of advanced mechanistic-based crystal plasticity constitutive models to predict the response of nuclear structural and cladding materials during operational and off-normal conditions.
- Microstructural Physics: Capture complex deformation mechanisms, recrystallization, phase transformations, and degradation processes while delivering accurate mechanical constitutive response.
- Multiphysics Integration: Support broader engineering programs in developing reduced-order models (ROMs), performing uncertainty quantification, and implementing models into larger Multiphysics simulation platforms.
- Scientific Dissemination: Publish research findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and present findings at national and international conferences.
How to Apply
- Visit the LANL Careers Portal.
- Search for Requisition Number IRC145420 or the job title.
- Create or log in to your LANL Jobs account:
- New Users: Click Register to create an account with a username and password.
- Previous Affiliates/Employees: Use the activation flow to receive a validation code.
- Complete the online application profile and submit your CV/resume, cover letter, and contact information for references.
- For inquiries regarding the position, contact:
- Dr. Andrea Rovinelli:
arovinelli@lanl.gov - Dr. Khanh Dang:
kqdang@lanl.gov - Application technical support:
applyhelp@lanl.gov/ (505) 664-6947
- Dr. Andrea Rovinelli:
Last Date for Apply
- Open Until Filled: Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
