Irradiation and Characterization of Fusion Materials - Postdoctoral Researcher

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The Materials Science Division (MSD) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is seeking Postdoctoral Researcher to advance the development of novel complex metal alloys for structural applications (e.g., first wall) in fusion reactors. The successful candidate will focus on light and heavy ion irradiation experiments to investigate fundamental radiation damage mechanisms and their impact on microstructural evolution and resulting properties, with the goal of supporting the design of new advanced alloys with improved survivability under fusion-relevant conditions.

This position is based in the Actinide and Lanthanides Science group and will involve close collaboration with the Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (CAMS) for irradiation studies.

In this role you will

• Design and execute ion irradiation experiments (light and heavy ions) on refractory metals and alloys at the CAMS.
• Develop and characterize novel alloy systems with improved radiation tolerance and mechanical properties.
• Employ advanced characterization techniques (e.g., TEM, SEM, APT, XRD, nanoindentation) to assess microstructural changes, defect evolution, and mechanical response post-irradiation.
• Analyze experimental data, interpret results in the context of fusion reactor environments, and contribute to the understanding of irradiation effects in candidate materials.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across LLNL and external partners, integrating experimental findings with modeling and simulation efforts as appropriate.
• Prepare technical reports and publish findings in peer-reviewed journals.
• Present research at conferences, seminars, and/or technical meetings.
• Maintain rigorous safety and compliance standards in all laboratory activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

In this role you will

• Develop and validate a multi-scale simulation framework for radiation-induced defect evolution in complex alloys, focusing on refractory high entropy alloys (RHEAs).
• Implement the framework in parallel simulation codes intended to run on LLNL supercomputers.
• Integrate FP-KMC, on-lattice KMC, and MD methods to achieve atomic-resolution modeling over extended timescales.
• Parameterize defect migration energies from atomistic simulations and incorporate results into KMC simulations.
• Perform MD simulations to predict primary damage cascades and point defect production rates.
• Analyze simulation outputs to predict macroscopic swelling and strain hardening.
• Interface with experimentalists and AI practitioners to validate models and propose directions for alloys property optimization.
• Work both independently and collaborate with others in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish program goals.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific journals and present results at external conferences, seminars, and/or technical meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.