02 Postdoctoral Positions at Sandia National Laboratories in Photovoltaic Materials Modeling

1. Postdoctoral Appointee - Photovoltaic Materials Modeling

Albuquerque, NM

Job ID: 690201

Bidder Eligibility:

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.

Employees must remain in their current position for one year before applying for a new position, with the exception of student interns. Application of this requirement will not supersede collective bargaining agreements. See collective bargaining labor agreements for represented bidder eligibility requirements for represented employees.

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.

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.

WHAT YOUR JOB WILL BE LIKE:

The Photovoltaics and Materials Technologies group at Sandia National Laboratories seeks a post-doctoral researcher to conduct atomistic and molecular scale modeling of materials reliability and degradation in photovoltaic (PV) solar energy devices.

Sandia’s PV facility includes over 50 separate R&D systems totaling approximately 1000 PV modules located onsite in New Mexico and at four other national facilities. This facility is technological diverse: each system has different materials, architectures, and performance characteristics; and dynamic, with new R&D and COTS systems added regularly. A defining feature is the facility’s focus on technical excellence. Our projects address key challenges for photovoltaic module reliability and field efficiency. These projects help ensure widespread deployment of photovoltaics toward a clean energy future.

On any given day you may be called on to:

Identify and develop models to simulate field operation and exposure of PV module components such as PV cells, glass, metals, and polymer encapsulants and backsheets.

Develop Atomic and molecular dynamics simulations assess materials, and correlate materials properties to the performance and degradation of PV modules and systems in different environmental and operational conditions.

Work with Sandia and DuraMAT Consortium PV modelers and engineers to conduct studies comparing PV device simulations with field- and lab-based research to develop PV performance and degradation models, and publish results at conferences, in scientific journals, and in government and industry reports.

QUALIFICATIONS WE REQUIRE:

Ph.D. in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry, or other physical science/applied engineering field

Experience in atomic/molecular dynamics modeling

Experience in scientific programming (e.g., python, C++)

Proven ability to work in a team environment

Only U.S. Persons (U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are eligible for consideration

QUALIFICATIONS WE DESIRE:

Experience in materials characterization

Experience in photovoltaic solar energy technologies and/or materials

Desire/ability to supervise students

Experience writing research grants

ABOUT OUR TEAM:

The Photovoltaics & Materials Tech Department, part of Sandia's Renewable Energy Technologies Group, conducts research and development and applies real world solutions to increase the viability of sustainable and clean energy systems. Research focuses on solar energy photovoltaics (PV), materials chemistry, and device integration for energy generation and energy efficiency. We apply PV and materials research to the following areas: PV cell technologies including Si, CdTe and CIGS thin films, and emerging technologies (i.e., perovskites), advanced PV module designs (i.e., bifacial, split cells conformable), and PV + Storage.

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.

Job ID: 690201

Apply Now

BENEFITS

Worklife Balance

Flexible Work Schedules

Generous Paid Time Off

Exceptional 401K Savings Plan

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Wellness Programs

On-site Amenities

Vacation Buy Plan

Telecommuting Arrangements*

*with management approval

Life in New Mexico

Affordable housing, reasonable cost of living

Minimal traffic congestion compared to larger cities

Outdoor recreation - Ski, snowboard, hike, etc.

Experience rich culture and history

International Balloon Fiesta

Green chile – NM Cuisine

Museums, Parks, Sports

Sandia invites you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law, EEO is the Law Poster Supplement, and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Sandia is a drug-free workplace. As a national laboratory funded by a U.S. government agency, we are subject to federal laws regarding illegal drug use. Illegal use of a controlled substance, including marijuana even in places where it does not violate state law, may impact your ability to obtain and/or maintain a Department of Energy security clearance, and may result in the withdrawal of an employment offer or termination of employment.

Sandia is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and providing reasonable accommodation in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have difficulty using our online system due to a disability and need special assistance or accommodation, please send an email with your request to the Job Accommodation Specialist in (NM) trsanch@sandia.gov . Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.

2. Post Doctoral Appointee - Photovoltaic Materials Characterization

Albuquerque, NM

Job ID: 690199

Bidder Eligibility:

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.

Employees must remain in their current position for one year before applying for a new position, with the exception of student interns. Application of this requirement will not supersede collective bargaining agreements. See collective bargaining labor agreements for represented bidder eligibility requirements for represented employees.

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.

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.

WHAT YOUR JOB WILL BE LIKE:

Sandia National Laboratories is seeking a post-doctoral fellow to study materials performance, reliability, and degradation in photovoltaic (PV) solar energy systems. The successful candidate will identify and develop field and laboratory measurement techniques to characterize PV components such as coatings, glasses, encapsulants, metals, and backsheets.

Sandia’s PV facility includes over 50 separate R&D systems totaling approximately 1000 PV modules located onsite in New Mexico and at four other national facilities. Each system includes different materials, architectures, and performance characteristics. New R&D and COTS systems are added regularly. A defining feature of Sandia and our PV R&D is our focus on technical excellence. Our projects address key challenges for photovoltaic module reliability and field efficiency. These projects help ensure widespread deployment of photovoltaics toward a clean energy future.

On any given day you will be called on to:

Develop and utilize Field analytical tools such as hand-held test protocols to test PV modules and systems, assess materials, and correlate materials properties to performance and degradation.

Partner with Sandia and DuraMAT Consortium PV scientists and engineers who build systems, develop, and validate performance models, and publish results at conferences, in scientific journals, and in government and industry reports.

QUALIFICATIONS WE REQUIRE:

Ph.D. in materials characterization science, physical metallurgy, industrial polymer science, or other relevant physical sciences and applied engineering fields

Experience in spectroscopy and microscopy for materials characterization

Desire/Ability to work in harsh outdoor environment

Proven written and oral, project planning, and safe-work skill

Proven ability to work in a team environment

Only U.S. Persons (U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, asylees, or refugees) are eligible for consideration

QUALIFICATIONS WE DESIRE:

Experience in analytical characterization tool development and test protocols

Proficiency conducting field measurements

Experience in photovoltaic solar energy technologies

Desire/Ability to supervise students

Prior experience writing research grants

ABOUT OUR TEAM:

The Photovoltaics & Materials Tech Department, part of Sandia's Renewable Energy Technologies Group, conducts research and development and applies real world solutions to increase the viability of sustainable and clean energy systems. Research focuses on solar energy photovoltaics (PV), materials chemistry, and device integration for energy generation and energy efficiency. We apply PV and materials research to the following areas: PV cell technologies including Si, CdTe and CIGS thin films, and emerging technologies (i.e., perovskites), advanced PV module designs (i.e., bifacial, split cells conformable), and PV + Storage.

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.

Job ID: 690199

Apply Now

BENEFITS

Worklife Balance

Flexible Work Schedules

Generous Paid Time Off

Exceptional 401K Savings Plan

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

Wellness Programs

On-site Amenities

Vacation Buy Plan

Telecommuting Arrangements*

*with management approval

Life in New Mexico

Affordable housing, reasonable cost of living

Minimal traffic congestion compared to larger cities

Outdoor recreation - Ski, snowboard, hike, etc.

Experience rich culture and history

International Balloon Fiesta

Green chile – NM Cuisine

Museums, Parks, Sports

Sandia invites you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law, EEO is the Law Poster Supplement, and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Sandia is a drug-free workplace. As a national laboratory funded by a U.S. government agency, we are subject to federal laws regarding illegal drug use. Illegal use of a controlled substance, including marijuana even in places where it does not violate state law, may impact your ability to obtain and/or maintain a Department of Energy security clearance, and may result in the withdrawal of an employment offer or termination of employment.

Sandia is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and providing reasonable accommodation in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you have difficulty using our online system due to a disability and need special assistance or accommodation, please send an email with your request to the Job Accommodation Specialist in (NM) trsanch@sandia.gov . Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.