Sandia National Laboratories is the nation's premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:
Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
Extraordinary co-workers
Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
Generous vacation, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance
World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
These benefits vary by job classification.
What Your Job Will Be Like:
We are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to characterize and test nanoporous materials, with an emphasis on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and complex solvent systems such as ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents for advanced separation technologies.
Perform gas adsorption and selectivity of metal-organic frameworks, zeolites, and other porous materials
Perform materials characterization, including powder X-ray diffraction, porosity measurements, thermal analyses (TGA/DSC), electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), X-ray fluorescence, IR and Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis, and NMR spectroscopy Analyze data to advance understanding of structure property relationships in liquid phase functional material systems under various testing conditions
Work in a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with experts in a wide range of experimental techniques and materials modeling approaches
Prepare and publish research in peer-reviewed journals and present at national conferences
Due to the nature of the work, the selected applicant must be able to work onsite. This position is located in Albuquerque, NM, and the annual salary for this position is $100,500.
Qualifications We Require:
PhD in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, or other relevant, related field
Demonstrated research experience in characterization and testing of nanoporous materials (e.g., MOFs and related porous systems)
Proven track record of scientific achievements, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publication(s) and/or presentation(s) at scientific conferences
Qualifications We Desire:
Proven ability to independently plan and execute experiments, lead small research projects or work packages, and deliver results with minimal supervision
Experience working collaboratively in multidisciplinary teams, including computational and synthetic chemistry groups
Familiarity with multiple concurrent research programs or cross-project collaborations
Advanced proficiency in materials characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction (single crystal and powder), BET surface area and porosity analysis, thermal analysis (TGA/DSC), electron microscopy (SEM/TEM), XRF, IR and Raman spectroscopy, UV-vis, and NMR spectroscopy
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including technical report preparation and presentation abilities
Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance
About Our Team:
Sandia¿s Geomechanics and Geochemistry Department advances fundamental scientific understanding and develops innovative capabilities to address complex challenges in subsurface science, energy, national security, and environmental sustainability. The department integrates experimental investigations, advanced characterization, computational modeling, and engineering applications across multiple spatial and temporal scales.
Sandia¿s geomechanics research addresses cross-cutting challenges in rock mechanics, rock mass characterization, deformation and failure processes, numerical modeling and simulation, material model validation, and subsurface monitoring. Integrating laboratory experiments, field observations, and computational simulations, key research areas include characterization of natural fracture systems; investigation and modeling of rock deformation and failure mechanisms; determination of thermomechanical, hydrological, and transport properties of rocks and fractures, including coupled processes; scaling of laboratory measurements to field conditions; in situ stress measurements and evaluation of subsurface boundary conditions; and laboratory- and field-scale validation of predictive models. These capabilities support applications in subsurface energy systems, critical mineral recovery, nuclear waste isolation, and national security.
Sandia¿s geochemistry research focuses on understanding molecular-scale processes and chemical interactions at mineral¿fluid interfaces, including how chemical environments influence mineral reactivity, interfacial transport, and material behavior. Core capabilities span three complementary areas: (1) molecular-scale modeling and simulation, (2) experimental geochemistry, and (3) applied environmental and chemical engineering. By integrating molecular-level insights, laboratory experiments, and multiscale computational modeling, researchers develop and validate predictive models of complex geochemical processes. These capabilities support a broad range of applications, including critical mineral extraction and separation, subsurface energy resource recovery, nuclear waste management, environmental remediation, nuclear weapons applications, and contaminant detection and removal.
Posting Duration:
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of three (3) calendar days, including the 'posting date'. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
Security Clearance:
This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.
Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment. Under federal law, citizens and agents of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation are generally prohibited from accessing Sandia National Laboratories. Accordingly, such individuals will not be considered for employment unless they are also a citizen of the United States.
If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.
Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.
EEO:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.
NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:
If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.
If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.
Position Information:
This postdoctoral position is a temporary position for up to one year, which may be renewed at Sandia's discretion up to five additional years. The PhD must have been conferred within five years prior to employment.
Individuals in postdoctoral positions may bid on regular Sandia positions as internal candidates, and in some cases may be converted to regular career positions during their term if warranted by ongoing operational needs, continuing availability of funds, and satisfactory job performance.
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We could not match this job title to one occupation in the official wage statistics, so no pay estimate is shown. Pay is not in the source listing; ask the employer for the range and compare in the 240 job niches.
Does the pay work here? (estimate)
Estimate for a wage earner: 2026 federal brackets and standard deduction (IRS), Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% (+0.9% above $200,000 single / $250,000 married), and a state rate you set; set your own state tax rate. It ignores credits, pre-tax deductions, local taxes and benefits. Sources: IRS: tax year 2026 inflation adjustments · SSA wage base per Federal Register notice 2025-19763.
How to prepare and behave
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Read the whole description and match your examples to its requirements; use the same words the posting uses where they are true for you.
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Arrive early (or log in early for a video call), dress one step above the daily dress code, and test your camera and audio beforehand.
Answer with short stories: the situation, what you did and the result. Give numbers when you have them and never invent them.
Be honest about gaps; say what you did to learn and how fast you can close them.
Ask about the team, the first 90 days, how success is measured and the schedule; do not open with salary and time off.
When pay comes up, know the market range for the occupation and your lowest acceptable offer before you answer; ask for the full package in writing.
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Have code, data work or projects you can show, and be ready to think aloud: many technical interviews test how you reason, not only the answer.
The job is in Albuquerque, NM. Below is what the official statistics say about living and working there.
How Albuquerque compares. Among the 40 largest places in New Mexico, Albuquerque is #1 by population, #4 for college degrees (#1 = most), #33 for rent (#1 = cheapest), #8 for remote work (#1 = most). Its county, Bernalillo County, is #4 of 33 counties for average pay ($63,493).
The place in numbers
Albuquerque has 562,218 residents (ACS 2020–2024), about 26.5% of the population of New Mexico. It covers 187 square miles of land, which works out to roughly 3,002 people per square mile. The median age is 38.8, about the same as the state median (38.8 against 39.4).
Housing
The median gross rent is $1,145 a month (rent plus utilities), 7% above the state median ($1,145 against $1,067). Over a year that is 20.1% of the median household income. US housing guidance treats housing as affordable when it takes 30% of income or less, so the typical household is under that line. The median home value is $291,500, which is 4.3 times the median household income ($68,317). 61.8% of households own their home, 12% below the state average (61.8% against 70.0%).
Work and pay
The Albuquerque, NM metropolitan area has 404,700 jobs in the BLS wage survey, and the median pay across all occupations is $48,060 a year, 6% below the national median ($48,060 against $50,980). The biggest occupation groups are office and administrative support (54,860 jobs, median $45,850); food preparation and serving related (38,230 jobs, median $30,990); sales and related (31,990 jobs, median $35,960). The area is most specialised in architecture and engineering (2.0 times) and construction and extraction (1.2 times), where the share of workers is well above the national share. The best-paying groups with at least 5,000 jobs are architecture and engineering ($131,720) and management ($108,920). In 2026M09 the unemployment rate of Bernalillo County was 4.6%. 63.5% of residents aged 16 and over are in the labour force. The city lies in Bernalillo County; its jobs, pay by industry and GDP are on the county page.
Getting around
Among workers, 70.7% drive alone, 0.9% use public transit, 2.0% walk, 14.9% work from home. 7.5% of workers commute 45 minutes or more, 42% below the state average (7.5% against 12.8%).
People and education
39.2% of adults aged 25 and over hold a bachelor's degree or higher, 27% above the state share (39.2% against 31.0%). 10.6% of residents were born outside the United States, 13% above the state share (10.6% against 9.4%). The poverty rate is 15.5%, 13% below the state rate (15.5% against 17.8%).
Climate
The warmest month is Jul, averaging 79°F (26.2°C), and the coolest is Jan at 35°F (1.6°C). About 258 mm (10 inches) of precipitation falls in a year; Jul is the wettest month (51 mm) and Mar the driest (11 mm). These values come from NASA satellite-based climatology on a grid of about 50 km, so they describe the wider area, not a weather station in the city.
Nearby cities to compare
Closest cities in this guide: North Valley (5 miles, rent 22% lower); South Valley (7 miles, rent 17% lower); Corrales (9 miles, similar rent); Rio Rancho (13 miles, rent 32% higher). Rent differences are against Albuquerque; use the Compare tab to put any two cities side by side.
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Places within 50 miles (straight line) of Albuquerque, NM that have a guide, with what living there costs. No pay estimate is shown because the title did not match one occupation.
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What is the Postdoctoral Appointee - Nanoporous Materials, Onsite job at Sandia National Laboratories?
A mid level role in technology (data, analytics and ai) listed yesterday. The full description is on this page and on The Muse.
Where is this job?
Albuquerque, NM.
How do I apply?
Use the "View this job and apply on The Muse" button. AtiveSite does not receive applications.
How much does it pay?
The listing does not publish pay, and we could not match the title to one official occupation.
What is the cost of living there?
Median rent in Albuquerque is $1,145 a month and median household income $68,317 (ACS 2020–2024).
How old is this listing?
It was posted on 2026-11-07 (yesterday). Jobs older than 90 days are not shown.
Are there similar jobs?
Yes: browse data, analytics and ai jobs in New Mexico.
Sources and terms
Job data: The Muse public API (listing dated 2026-11-07). The job disappears from this site when it disappears from the source.
Wages and projections: BLS OEWS (May 2025) and Employment Projections 2025–35.
City and county figures: Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024, BEA, BLS QCEW and LAUS, NASA POWER climatology; distances from Census Gazetteer coordinates.
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