Climate, Earth, and Atmospheric Science Postdoctoral Appointee
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.
What Your Job Will Be Like
Do you want to perform innovative research in climate, earth, and atmospheric science? Are you passionate about research that impacts a wide range of problems of national importance?
We are seeking dedicated Postdoctoral Appointees with interests in developing and applying atmospheric and earth science measurement and modeling techniques to scientific and engineering applications relevant to Sandia’s diverse mission space. Sandia is currently exploring a variety of applications and potential projects including but not limited to the following:
- Simulating the climate response to proposed climate intervention strategies and applying machine learning (or other data analytics techniques) and uncertainty quantification towards risk evaluation
- Atmospheric and laboratory based measurements of ambient conditions including meteorological variables and aerosol/gas phase concentrations. Source-term characterization/development for use in validation modeling scenarios
On any given day, you may be called on to:
- Address complex problems in support of broad-ranging mission areas,
- Collaborate with highly motivated researchers on challenging research questions using state-of-the-art computational resources, and
- Present your work within leading publication and conference venues
Qualifications We Require
- PhD or pursuit of PhD in an Atmospheric Science, Earth Sciences, Civil/Environmental Engineering, Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computational Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (needs to be conferred by time of hire);
- Proven research experience, as evidenced by strong record of research publications and presentations;
- You have experience in instrumentation, measurements and analysis and/or modeling of at least one of the following:
- Experience analyzing, developing, or using components of climate models and climate datasets.
- Experience with polar regions research
- Experience with the water cycle research
- Experience with cross-disciplinary research methods, big thinking solutions, and broad problem solving skills.
- Experience with downscaling climate models.
- Experience with regional earth system or atmospheric models.
- Experience with Integrative Assessment Models.
- Experience with energy, water, and resource nexus to atmospheric science applications
- Experience using atmospheric models
- Experience with aerosol measurements and/or modeling Experience in various measurement platforms
- Experience with trajectory models (e.g. HYSPLIT, RIP, CLaMS)
- Experience with stratospheric chemistry
- Familiarity with high performance computing environments
- Experience with computer languages used for atmospheric modeling and analysis (C, C++, Fortran, Python, Julia, R,, Matlab)
Qualifications We Desire
- Demonstrated interest and/or experience in service to the nation;
- Strong interpersonal as well as written and oral communication skills;
- Background would also include one or more skills as outlined below:
- Proven ability to advance the state-of-the-art in climate science-related subject areas and/or related fields of study
- Ability to conduct self-directed research
- Interest in collaborative, interdisciplinary research environments and working on problems comprising diverse application domains
- Proven research community leadership through activities such as participation in student or professional organizations, outreach activities, etc.
- Familiarity or experience with data analytics and machine learning methods such as deep learning, reinforcement learning, or another form of artificial intelligence
- International recognition in the research area with an original high-impact publication as evidenced through or a high h-index or citation analysis
- Ability to travel for business and research purposes
- Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance.
About Our Team
The staff in the Atmospheric Sciences Department (8913) at Sandia National Labs have expertise in atmospheric measurements and modeling. Technical activities cover the spectrum from theory to application, including algorithm development, computer modeling, data inversion, instrumentation and measurement systems development, field demonstration, field campaign execution, and field site management. Particular expertise exists in the measurement and modeling of atmospheric processes in the Arctic including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles such as small fixed wing and rotary aircraft and tethered balloons, as well as the use and cold hardening of measurement systems such as radar and lidar. The department serves as a Laboratories resource for atmospheric sensing expertise.
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.
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.