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

POSITION SUMMARY

The DTRA Nuclear Survivability Postdoctoral Fellow will advance research and development (R&D) efforts to provide technologies, standards, historical data, and testing capabilities to ensure that U.S. nuclear and conventional forces survive and fight through adversary nuclear attacks. Post-Doctoral Fellows assist in the development of research topics and programs, monitoring and evaluating, research efforts, and transitioning promising technologies. Depending on expertise and mission alignment, candidates may be directly involved in applied research, modeling, and analysis efforts. This is not a lab research position. Depending on expertise and interest, the Nuclear Survivability Postdoctoral Fellow may be involved in a range of projects, including developing nuclear survivability standards and test methods, operational system vulnerability assessments and verification, advancing radiation-resistant microelectronics, materials, and optics, developing next-generation experimental facilities to test nuclear survivability, and furthering our understanding of human survivability.

EXPERIENCE DESIRED

Those with strong quantitative skills and excellent communication abilities are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants should hold a PhD or be within 6 months of obtaining a PhD in a science or an engineering discipline, such as (but not limited to) electrical engineering, materials science, nuclear physics or engineering, chemistry, or health physics. A multidisciplinary background is highly desirable. Experience in areas such as nuclear physics, plasma physics, high energy density physics, micro/nanoelectronics, pulsed power, radiation effects, radiation transport, or systems engineering, or related fields, would be beneficial. Familiarity with modeling and simulation tools would be particularly applicable. Both experimental and theoretical specialists are welcome to apply, but candidates must be open to learning and applying concepts beyond their primary area of expertise.

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).