Postdoctoral Appointee

Postdoctoral Appointee

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 vacation, 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: www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a postdoctoral appointee to characterize and test nanoporous materials, with an emphasis on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and complex solvent systems such as ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents for advanced separation technologies.

• Perform gas adsorption and selectivity of metal-organic frameworks, zeolites, and other porous materials
• Perform materials characterization, including powder X-ray diffraction, porosity measurements, thermal analyses (TGA/DSC), electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), X-ray fluorescence, IR and Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis, and NMR spectroscopy Analyze data to advance understanding of structure property relationships in liquid phase functional material systems under various testing conditions
• Work in a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with experts in a wide range of experimental techniques and materials modeling approaches
• Prepare and publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present at national conferences

Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. This position is located in Albuquerque, NM, and the annual salary for this position is $100,500.

Qualifications We Require:

• PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or other relevant, related field
• Demonstrated research experience in characterization and testing of nanoporous materials (e.g., MOFs and related porous systems)
• Proven track record of scientific achievements, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publication(s) and/or presentation(s) at scientific conferences

Qualifications We Desire:

• Proven ability to independently plan and execute experiments, lead small research projects or work packages, and deliver results with minimal supervision
• Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams, including computational and synthetic chemistry groups
• Familiarity with multiple concurrent research programs or cross-project collaborations
• Advanced proficiency in materials characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction (single crystal and powder), BET surface area and porosity analysis, thermal analysis (TGA/DSC), electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), XRF, IR and Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis, and NMR spectroscopy
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical report preparation and presentation abilities
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance

About Our Team:

Sandia¿s Geomechanics and Geochemistry Department advances fundamental scientific understanding and develops innovative capabilities to address complex challenges in subsurface science, energy, national security, and environmental sustainability. The department integrates experimental investigations, advanced characterization, computational modeling, and engineering applications across multiple spatial and temporal scales.

Sandia¿s geomechanics research addresses cross-cutting challenges in rock mechanics, rock mass characterization, deformation and failure processes, numerical modeling and simulation, material model validation, and subsurface monitoring. Integrating laboratory experiments, field observations, and computational simulations, key research areas include characterization of natural fracture systems; investigation and modeling of rock deformation and failure mechanisms; determination of thermomechanical, hydrological, and transport properties of rocks and fractures, including coupled processes; scaling of laboratory measurements to field conditions; in situ stress measurements and evaluation of subsurface boundary conditions; and laboratory- and