INFORMS Open Forum

Los Alamos National Laboratory Postdoctoral Research Position

  • 1.  Los Alamos National Laboratory Postdoctoral Research Position

    Posted 09-19-2018 14:23

    Advanced Network Science Initiative Postdoctoral Research Associate in Los Alamos,New Mexico

    What You Will Do

    Come join the best and brightest minds in the world at one of the most innovative and creative multidisciplinary research institutions engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. The work we do at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) matters to our country and the world.

    The Advanced Network Science Initiative (ANSI) is looking for outstanding postdoctoral researchers in the fields of applied mathematics, machine learning, computational science, operations research, electrical engineering, and control theory. The research will focus on solving difficult learning, optimization and control problems for the design, operations, simulation, and analysis of complex infrastructures systems. The candidate is expected to work in an interdisciplinary environment with significant collaborative research. A successful candidate is expected to publish in peer reviewed journals, as well as present their research at conferences and workshops.

    ANSI performs basic and applied research focused on modeling and understanding the nation's critical infrastructures, such as electric power and natural gas. Our expertise covers statistics, stochastic methods, machine learning, control theory, dynamical systems, discrete and continuous optimization, statistical physics, and graphical modeling. We ensure the scientific and technological validity of our approaches by working closely with physicists, engineers, mathematicians, statisticians, computer scientists, and economists through interdisciplinary collaborations. Our typical customers include DHS, DOE, DOD, and other national laboratories. Our work typically requires close collaborations within and outside the Laboratory.

    This is a two‐year position. We are expecting to hire 3‐4 postdoctoral researchers to support one or more of the following key project areas:

    • Resilient Networked Microgrids – This project is focused on developing new optimization methods to design microgrids for resilient operations during extreme events and N‐1 security over multi‐year time horizons

    • Mixed‐Integer Non‐convex Optimization – This project is focused on developing new optimization techniques to solver non convex optimization problems

    • Natural Gas System Operations and Design – This project is focused on developing new techniques to control and optimize the dynamics and transient behavior of natural gas systems. Areas of research include PDE‐constrained optimal control, mixed‐integer nonlinear optimization, variational analysis, computational inverse problems, and large‐scale data analysis.

    • Machine Learning for Optimization – This project is focused on leveraging machine learning methods to improve optimization algorithms for continuous and discrete optimization problems

    • Distributed Optimization – This project is focused on developing scalable distributed optimization algorithms for continuous convex and non‐convex optimization problems

    • Machine Learning for transmission and distribution power grid – This project is focused on developing new algorithms and methods for network reconstruction, dynamic state estimation and frequency events localization in power grids.

    What You Need

    Minimum Job Requirements:

    • Proven publication record in one or more of the following areas: machine learning, mathematical programming, industrial engineering, power engineering, control theory, computational science, or applied mathematics.

    • Demonstrate ability to work effectively in a collaborative and multi‐disciplinary scientific environment

    • Demonstrate excellent oral and written skills

    • At least one of the following:

    • Programming experience with Java, C++, Python, MATLAB, or Julia and demonstrated software engineering skills

    • Mathematical modeling experience with AMPL, GAMS, JuMP, or Pyomo and experience with various commercial and open‐source solvers (CPLEX, Gurobi, IPOPT, etc.)

    Desired Skills:

    • Experience in solving practical science and engineering problems, especially in the context of infrastructure networks

    • Experience with graph theory and graphical modeling

    • Experience with solvers for PDE, ODE, and/or DAE such as Sundials or MATLAB

    • Experience in scientific computing and numerical methods for differential equations

    Education: A Ph.D. in computer science, electrical engineering, statistical physics, operations research, applied mathematics, or a related field within the past 5 years is required.

    Notes to Applicants:For further questions, please contact R. Bent at rbent@lanl.gov. To apply, please use the "apply now" button below. Include a letter describing your research interests, a CV and 3 references.

    Additional Details:

    No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

    Salary:

    Competitive salaries are based on the date the PhD degree requirements were completed or the degree was awarded. On the anniversary of these dates, salaries are automatically adjusted to the next higher level, e.g. PhD + 0: $73,600; PhD + 1: $75,400, etc. For more information please go to Postdoc Salary Guidelines.

    New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing.

    Candidates may be considered for a Director's Postdoc Fellowship and outstanding candidates may be considered for the prestigious Richard P. Feynman, Darleane Christian Hoffman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, or Frederick Reines Distinguished Postdoc Fellowships.

    For general information go to Postdoc Program.

    Equal Opportunity:

    Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regards to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.

    Where You Will Work_

    Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. LANL enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

    Minimum Salary: 74000

    Location: Los Alamos, NM, US

    Contact Name: Russell Bent

    Organization Name: T-5/Applied Mathematics and Plasma Physics

    Email: rbent@lanl.gov

    Job Title: Advanced Network Science Initiative Postdoctoral Research Associate

    Appointment Type: Postdoc

    Req ID: IRC68606

    Apply Here: Advanced Network Science Initiative Postdoctoral Research Associate in Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States

    https://lanl.jobs/los-alamos-nm/advanced-network-science-initiative-postdoctoral-research-associate/3C2D45654A214CE08B8735B5139EC61D/job/



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    Russell Bent
    Los Alamos National Laboratory
    Los Alamos NM
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