Post-doctoral Position in Gas Phase Physical Chemistry at the Combustion
Research Facility, Livermore, California
A Post-doctoral Position is available in the labs of Dr. David Osborn at the
Combustion Research Facility of Sandia National Laboratories in Livermore,
California. A description of the combustion chemistry program in general and
of the specific position available is given below. U.S. citizenship is not
essential, but U.S. citizens are especially encouraged to apply.
Salary: $80,000 / year plus benefits
The Combustion Chemistry program, under the principal sponsorship of the
Department of Energy's Office of Basic Energy Sciences, seeks to reveal the
key chemical processes that underlie the complex mechanisms of combustion.
The program emphasizes determination of the rates and mechanisms of chemical
reactions and characterization of molecular structure and energetics.
Researchers in the program employ laser-based pump/probe techniques to
interrogate chemical reactivity and structure, ion-imaging to simultaneously
measure velocity and internal-state distributions of reaction products, and
multiplexed time-resolved mass spectrometry to probe chemical reactions with
isomeric selectivity. In other work, molecular photolysis is coupled with
absorption/fluorescence detection methods to determine the thermal rate
coefficients and product distributions for reactions that constitute the
individual steps in the combustion chain process. Current computational
efforts include ab initio calculations of molecular structure and
energetics, non-adiabatic processes, and computer modeling of the complete
kinetics of combustion processes in both laminar and turbulent environments.
We seek a postdoctoral associate to carry out fundamental investigations
exploring kinetics and dynamics of unimolecular and bimolecular reactions,
and spectroscopy of free radicals. Measurements in collisional and
jet-cooled environments of dynamics, rate coefficients, and branching
fractions of reactions will be performed using several techniques. First,
step-scan time-resolved Fourier transform spectroscopy is used to optically
monitor multiple species simultaneously. Second, a unique multiplexed
photoionization mass spectrometer employing tunable VUV ionization is used
to measure isomer-resolved reaction kinetics. These experiments are
conducted both at Sandia and at the Advanced Light Source Synchrotron of
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. This apparatus has been applied to
many fundamental problems in combustion, atmospheric, and extraterrestrial
chemistry, such as molecular weight growth, oxidation of isoprene, reactions
on Saturn’s moon Titan, and the first direct observation of a Criegee
intermediate. Finally, there is an effort in ultrasensitive absorption
spectroscopy using cavity-enhanced frequency modulation spectroscopy.
Miniaturization of this spectrometer and incorporation of frequency comb
spectroscopy for ultrasensitive, broad coverage, high-resolution
spectroscopy are long term goals. The postdoctoral associate will be
responsible for planning, execution, and interpretation of the experiments
under the direction of the principal investigator. For more information on
recent projects, see
http://www.ca.sandia.gov/crf/staff/staffPage.php?sid=dlosbor.
Required qualifications: Ph.D in chemistry, physics, or closely related
field; demonstrated ability in fundamental research as evidenced by
publication record and presentations; experience with laser spectroscopy
and/or FTIR spectroscopy, photoionization mass spectrometry, or related
detection methods.
Desired qualifications: knowledge of chemical kinetics, dynamics, or
combustion chemistry; high-vacuum systems; experimental design and
construction; expertise in analog and digital electronics; experience in
high-sensitivity absorption techniques; knowledge of molecular spectroscopy.
U.S. citizenship preferred but not essential.
Please apply online at www.sandia.gov. Respond to requisition number 62483.
Sandia is an equal opportunity employer.
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