Accelerator Physics Postdoctoral Researcher - National Security Engineering Division

Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$117,900 - $135,060 Annually

This is the lowest to highest salary in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. Pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Job Description

We have an opening for an Accelerator Physics Postdoctoral Researcher in the National Security Engineering Division (NSED) within the Engineering Directorate.  You will work on modeling and performing experiments for accelerators, plasmas, pulsed power, and other technically challenging problems. You will assist in the creation of innovative solutions for multiple programs at LLNL and contribute to the research and development of next-generation platforms. This position is in Accelerator Operations Group in the National Security Engineering Division (NSED), within the Engineering Directorate. This group is engaged in several projects, including Advanced Sources and Detectors (ASD) Scorpius—the National Nuclear Security Administration’s (NNSA) new flagship radiography machine currently under construction—solid-state bipolar pulsed power, plasma pinches, and multiphysics code development. The team is integrated across the laboratory, providing expert input on high-impact facilities such as the National Ignition Facility (NIF) and the Flash X-Ray (FXR) facility, as well as similar facilities at other laboratories. By leveraging new technologies and pioneering innovative techniques that promise to be disruptive in the field, the group is seeking a post-doctoral physicist or engineer to complement and enhance its current capabilities.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home 1 to 2 days per week.

In this role, you will

• Conduct fundamental research, design, implementation, and analysis in one or more of the following areas: pulsed power, accelerator physics, accelerator diagnostics and experiments, z-pinch plasma diagnostics and experiments, simulations of experiments.
• Organize, analyze, and present data from research.
• Contribute to the conception, design, and execution of research to address scientific and technical problems.
• Conduct independent research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.
• Collaborate with others in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and present results at external conferences seminars and/or technical meetings.
• Travel as needed to coordinate with research collaborators and visit field sites.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• PhD in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Physics, or related technical field.
• Experience with particle-in-cell codes or multi-physics codes.
• Experience with one or more of the following areas: pulsed power, accelerator, z-pinch plasma experiments, diagnostics development, computational physics, or simulations.
• Experience developing innovative solutions to research problems with design, techniques, and execution.
• Ability to perform and undertake independent and original research and communicate findings through publication of journal articles and presentations at seminars and scientific meetings.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills and demonstrated leadership skills to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Qualifications We Desire

• Familiarity with accelerator beam dynamics.
• Pulsed-power drivers and networks.

Additional Information

#Li-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

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