DTRA Postdoctoral Scholars Program

POSITION SUMMARY

The Nuclear Technologies DTRIAC Post-Doctoral Fellow performs research, development, and information analyses using nuclear testing archives supporting key U.S. nuclear deterrent missions. The position is located on Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, NM within the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Research and Development (RD) Directorate, Nuclear Technologies (NT) Department. The Defense Threat Reduction Information Analysis Center (DTRIAC) manages the DoD, DTRA, and U.S. government collection of nuclear testing scientific and technical information (STI), and provides subject matter expertise in nuclear deterrent missions. The Post-Doctoral Fellow will apply advanced library and data science machine learning techniques supporting the overall DTRIAC program.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work with DTRA/RD-NTD management and leadership. Investigate technological methods of interest under guidance of the DTRIAC Program Manager.
• Apply standard governmental management processes involving budget and general programmatics.
• Develop a broad awareness of the historical nuclear testing and nuclear deterrent knowledge base, the U.S. nuclear deterrent community, and the current challenges impacting U.S. nuclear deterrent missions.
• Assist in the development of research portfolios enabling operationally relevant methodologies, capabilities, or analyses applying the historical nuclear testing and nuclear deterrent knowledge bases to address current questions and challenges of U.S. nuclear deterrent missions.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

SKILLS

Library Science, Data Science, Mathematics, Systems Engineering, Physical Sciences, Quantitative Biologist, Operations Research, Computer Science

POSITION SUMMARY

The Nuclear and Radiological Threat Detection Post-Doctoral Fellow will support fundamental research and development in the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) Nuclear Technologies Department (NT) within the DTRA Research and Development Directorate (RD). The division directs state-of-the-art research on radiological (radiation) detection and radiographic imaging technologies to address critical warfighter needs and is the proud recipient of eight R&D 100 awards, a global recognition honoring revolutionary science and technology advancements.

The post-doctoral fellow will apply physics, engineering, and advanced computational techniques, such as machine learning and data science, to provide technical subject matter expertise supporting the development of new studies, sensors, modeling and simulation, and algorithms. The Post-Doctoral Fellow will work along with the Division Chief and research managers in the Nuclear Detection Division (RD-NTD) and will be assigned a science Mentor within RD-NTD.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Investigate scientific or technological areas of interest under guidance of a Mentor.
• Advise the Government on methods to address sensor critical warfighter needs.
• Learn program management processes and help the Government guide research investments.
• Interact with operational military units to understand their needs, limitations, and potential concepts for employing new technologies.
• Support the evaluation of technical proposals, research findings, and research topics.
• Be flexible at learning and reviewing concepts beyond a narrow specialty.
• Other duties and responsibilities may arise as the candidate’s experience matures.
• Note that this position is focused on support of DTRA program management, and does not involve bench research

EXPERIENCE DESIRED

• Knowledge in areas of radiation detection, physics, or engineering with a moderate understanding of the state-of-the-art in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence and the application of those tools to scientific problems. Alternatively, the candidate may have a strong background in data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence with a moderate understanding of radiation detection, physics, or engineering.
• Ability to work in a highly complex environment, both individually and as part of a team, while showing initiative to learn about new scientific disciplines, think about new ways to solve a problem, and get involved in projects.
• Strong written and verbal communications.

EDUCATION REQUIRED
Candidates must have a STEM Ph.D or equivalent in physics, engineering, computer science, mathematics, or a related area (students who will have degree conferred within six months are encouraged to apply).

ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTS
• Candidate must be a US citizen.
• Candidates must be able to obtain a SECRET level security clearance.
• Candidates must pass a drug screen/background check
Location: Fort Belvoir, VA
(applicants must be willing to relocate to greater Washington, DC area).

POTENTIAL CAREER PATHS

A postdoctoral position with DTRA/RD-NTD offers technical skills and training relevant to federal program management and may lead to potential career opportunities such as:

• Government Program Manager
• Government Researcher
• Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) or Systems Engineering Technical Advisory (SETA) contractor supporting federal agencies
• Department of Defense or Department of Energy contract scientist/researcher

DESCRIPTION

DTRA is currently seeking US Citizen candidates for a postdoctoral scholar position. The job location is in the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area.

The Scholars Program was designed to utilize mission-critical expertise possessed by highly qualified subject matter experts in DTRA’s mission to combat and respond to weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation and use. The position will support research activities to improve methods for understanding the mathematical modeling of effects on critical infrastructure networks.

Candidates should have a Ph.D. or equivalent in mathematics, physics, or mathematical physics. Preferred skills may include PDEs/ODEs, numerical analysis, computational physics, FEM, FDM, CFD, Monte Carlo, pure mathematics, and/or mathematical physics.

Proficiency in the following areas are of interest:  PDE/ODE theory and/or mathematical physics. Candidates should be flexible and willing to learn/review new concepts beyond their specialty.

This is not primarily a bench research position within a lab, but is mostly focused on support of applied research and program/project creation and management/assessment. The following are emphasized: (1) depth of analytic thinking to identify critical research needs and opportunities; and, (2) follow-up assessment of investments in applied research efforts to foster success of the portfolio. The successful candidate will help implement new ideas into development of research tools, review proposals and scientific progress, and support funding oversight. Program success is achieved by increasing innovative knowledge needed for understanding nuclear weapon effects on infrastructure, followed by fostering transition of basic research to applied research and development.

The successful applicant must be a US citizen capable of obtaining a security clearance, and be willing to re-locate to the Washington DC metropolitan area. The appointment will be for a one-year period with a possibility of renewal. To apply, please submit a cover letter and CV or resume. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.