Energetic Materials Advanced Manufacturing - Postdoctoral Researcher

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct research in advanced manufacturing methods for energetic materials (explosives, pyrotechnics, propellants). You will actively participate in research developing additive manufacturing techniques to improve our understanding of the process, structure, property, performance, and safety relationships of energetic materials. This position is in the Aging, Compatibility, and Manufacturing of Energetics (ACME) group within the Energetic Materials & Design (EMD) section of the Materials Science Division, supporting the Energetic Materials Center (EMC).

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or moredays per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

You will

• Conduct research on advanced manufacturing of energetic materials to improve understanding between the manufacturing process, materials structure, mechanical properties, and detonation performance.
• Develop methods to investigate multi-material compaction in energetic materials and perform analysis to predict resultant materials properties and improve processes.
• Contribute to and actively participate in the conception, design and execution of research to address defined problems.
• Pursue independent (but complementary) research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.
• Collaborate with scientists in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals.
• Maintain and establish laboratory protocols.
• Document research; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the DOE community and at conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship
  
  PhD in materials science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, or a related field.
• Experience in energetic materials process development, materials formulation, diagnostics development, and computational data analysis.
• Knowledgeable of the concepts of additive manufacturing, compaction experimentation and modeling, and mechanical testing.
• Ability as an innovative experimentalist with a broad range of experience in experimental design, techniques and execution.
• Ability to develop independent research projects through publication of peer-reviewed literature.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills as reflected in effectivepresentations at seminars, meetings and/or teaching lectures.
• Initiative and interpersonal skills with desire and ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with energetic materials formulation, processing, and testing.
• Experience in computational tools for data analysis (e.g. Matlab, Python).
• Knowledge in additive manufacturing techniques, including development of tool paths for both 3-axis and 6-axis platforms.

Pay Range

$123,048 Annually

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Site 300

Site 300 is an experimental test site operated by LLNL. Situated on 7,000 acres in rural foothills approximately six miles southwest of downtown Tracy and 15 miles southeast of Livermore, Site 300 hosts approximately 200 employees with expertise in such fields as engineering, chemistry, biology, and environmental restoration. Employees assigned to work at Site 300 may be exposed to the organism that causes San Joaquin Valley Fever (coccidioidomycosis).

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

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Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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