Design Physics Division - Postdoctoral Researcher

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World! Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world‑changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi‑domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have multiple openings for Design Physics - Postdoctoral Researchers
. We invite PhD graduates from a variety of STEM fields (including, but not limited to, the various physics disciplines, engineering, experimental science, computational physics, planetary science, chemistry, or material science) to apply for one of our Postdoctoral Research positions. We will work with successful candidates to tailor a postdoctoral project and select a mentor to support each individual’s development. This opportunity is intended for individuals who have finished their PhD and wish to further develop their skills, knowledge, and/or abilities to better position themselves for a future staff position within the Design Physics Division or elsewhere at LLNL.

Our postdoc positions are atypical - we select highly qualified candidates based on demonstrated research aptitude and then customize the project assignment to fit their abilities and interests as well as our needs. Recent projects have involved the physics of Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF), turbulence and fluid instabilities, atomistic and continuum models of transport, planetary defense, diagnostic development, computational solid and fluid dynamics, chemical physics, particle and radiation transport algorithm development, and uncertainty quantification.

In addition to your research projects, LLNL allows you to charge up to 25% of your time to an account that is focused on your professional development as a scientist. For example, you could attend additional lectures, learn more about the Laboratory, finish writing up papers from your graduate work, or learn about new avenues of research, while collaborating with a broad spectrum of scientists across disciplines both within LLNL and at external partner institutions.

This position is in the Design Physics Division within the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate.

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options, may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

• Develop new tools, algorithms, and/or design new experiments to further our scientific understanding.
• Conduct research on the use of massively parallel computer platforms to solve scientific challenges.
• Conduct research in a topical area using theory, experiment, and/or simulation tools.
• Pursue independent (but complementary) research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.
• Publish research results in peer‑reviewed scientific or technical journals, and present results at external conferences, seminars and/or technical meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q‑level security which requires U.S. citizenship.
• PhD in a related physical science, engineering or applied mathematics discipline.
• Experience in high‑quality research in a relevant field, demonstrating both detailed understanding and a broad perspective.
• Demonstrated significant accomplishments in experimental science, numerical simulations and modeling, and/or the application of theoretical techniques.
• Experience developing innovative solutions to scientific and technical problems.
• Demonstrated proficient verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and present and…