Center for Defect Physics

Job Opportunities

The “Center for Defect Physics” (CDP) is searching for highly motivated researchers in Experimental and Theoretical Materials Science and Materials Physics to fill positions as CDP-Fellows. The CDP is one of the 46 Energy Frontier Research Center (EFRC) that were recently created by the Department of Energy’s Office of Basic Energy Sciences (BES). The CDP brings together a team of scientists from six universities and two national laboratories. The goal is provide a fundamental
understanding of materials defects, defect interactions, and defect dynamics, thereby enabling atomistic control and manipulation of defects and the charting of new pathways to the development of greatly improved materials—materials with ultra-high strength, toughness, and radiation resistance.

The Center deploys first-of-their kind measurements and models of defects in three interrelated thrust
areas:

CDP Fellowships are available in each of these three areas as follows:

  1. Experimental ultra-fast time-resolved x-ray scattering and 3D x-ray diffraction microscopy using high brilliance synchrotron x-ray sources such as the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) and the Advanced Photon Source (APS).
  2. Small-scale mechanical testing techniques including nanoindentation and micropillar
    compression; materials synthesis techniques including single and bicrystal growth.
  3. First principles based atomic/electronic scale modeling of metals, alloys, and magnetic materials, including atom and spin dynamics as well as methods that advance the state-of-the-art with respect to accuracy and system size attainable.

Candidates should have a PhD in physics, materials science, chemistry, or related physical sciences. A strong background in x-ray or neutron scattering and diffraction is also highly desirable in the first two areas. While for the last, a strong materials theory background with expertise in areas such as Density-Functional-Theory (DFT), Time Dependent DFT, Classical (atomic) DFT, Quantum Monte Carlo, Spin Dynamics or classical molecular dynamics is desirable, as is experience with parallel algorithms and high performance computing.

The CDP research agenda will provide an opportunity for the successful candidates to work within a highly collaborative team environment and will provide ample access to frontier research facilities such as the LCLS, APS, NERSC and the NCCS. US citizenship is not a requirement for the CDP Fellowships.

To apply online for a CDP Fellowship, click on the following URL addresses and follow instructions.

  1. Postdoctoral Research Fellow for the Center for Defect Physics (Experimental)
    CDP10-01-ORNL: Postdoctoral Research Fellow for the Center for Defect Physics in Materials Microstructure Characterization.
  2. Postdoctoral Research Fellow for the Center for Defect Physics (Theoretical)
    CDP10-02-ORNL: Postdoctoral Research Fellow for the Center for Defect Physics in Materials Theory and Simulation.

Click here to download CDP postodoctoral fellowship flyer

For additional information contact the Office of the CDP Director:

Dr. G. Malcolm Stocks, Director
stocksgm@ornl.gov
(865) 574-5163

Ann Strange, CDP Administrative Assistant
strangear@ornl.gov
(865) 576-7054