Postdoctoral Appointee - In-Situ Optical Diagnostics for Semiconductor Materials Research, Onsite

Sandia National Laboratories

Albuquerque, USA

Job posting number: #7367322 (Ref:Sa698364)

Posted: July 14, 2026

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 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: http://www.sandia.gov

*These benefits vary by job classification.

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to support research in in-situ laser probe characterization. In this role, you will plan and perform experiments; install, repair, and maintain diagnostic tools; and collect and analyze data aimed at controlling atomic-scale defect populations in wide-gap semiconductors. You will contribute to the design and characterization efforts needed to advance experimental research, publish results in peer-reviewed journals, present findings at local and national conferences, and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across Sandia National Laboratories to develop new research opportunities and projects.

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

  • Plan and perform experiments, install, repair, and maintain diagnostic tools, collect and analyze data with the goal of controlling atomic-scale defect populations in wide-gap semiconductors
  • Perform design and characterization necessary to support projects or experiments
  • Publish journal articles and present work at local and national conferences
  • Interact and collaborate with other inter-disciplinary research groups within Sandia National Laboratories to develop new research opportunities and projects

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

Qualifications We Require:

  • PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Metallurgical/Materials Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field, conferred within 5 years prior to employment
  • Experience designing and building optical systems
  • Experience with laser pump-probe imaging, velocimetry techniques such as direct imaging, photon Doppler velocimetry, and/or VISAR, and/or non-commercial spectroscopy
  • Experience with materials characterization techniques such as photoluminescence spectroscopy, electron microscopy, plasma diagnostics, and/or measurement of thermodynamic and transport properties
  • Record of publishing results in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific and/or technical conferences
  • Conversational understanding of physics and materials science
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance

Qualifications We Desire:

  • Experience with sensors (IR/UV cameras, Pyrometers, Thermal Imaging cameras, High speed cameras, electron detectors, etc.) and analysis of spectroscopic data
  • Experience with Data Analytics, Electromagnetic field modelling, and Image Processing (ImageJ, COMSOL, C++, MatLab, Python preferred)
  • Background in heat and mass transport theory at the particle and microstructural scale
  • Experience determining equations of state from material shock response
  • A desire to collaborate with industry and facilitate technology transfer
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

About Our Team:

The Advanced Metal Processing Department and Rapid Development Machine Shop provides scientific and engineering expertise in the areas of advanced manufacturing, metal additive manufacturing and laser machining/surface modification. Advanced manufacturing includes the design and fabrication of components by conventional subtractive machining, additive manufacturing, electrical discharge machining (EDM), laser machining, laser etching/annealing, vacuum induction melting, and optical probe measurements. Metal additive manufacturing expertise includes alloy development, qualification/acceptance, and design. Current technologies utilized include laser powder bed, metal fused deposition (FDM), and powder and wire directed energy deposition (DED). Our staff supports a variety of programs and is highly engaged in providing collaborative, innovative materials science and systems-based engineering solutions.The analytic capabilities available: High Speed Microscopy, High Speed Thermal Imaging, Thermal Desorption, Thermal Diffusivity, Particle Size Analysis, Avalanche Angle Measurement, Thermal Imaging, plus others.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

Security Clearance:

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.

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.

Job ID: 698364

Job Family: 92

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status: F



All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.


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Job posting number:#7367322 (Ref:Sa698364)
Application Deadline:Open Until Filled
Employer Location:Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque,New Mexico
United States
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