What are the responsibilities and job description for the Applied Nuclear Theory Postdoctoral Researcher position at Los Alamos National Laboratory?
What You Will Do
The T-2 group (Nuclear and Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology) in the Theoretical Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory invites applications for one postdoctoral position in theoretical modeling of nuclear reactions and nuclear data evaluations, to begin in the Fall of 2025. Candidates are expected to have obtained a PhD in Physics or closely related field by the beginning of the postdoctoral appointment (within five years of receiving their PhD; exceptions to the five-year cutoff can be made for sufficiently extenuating circumstances). This appointment is for two years. Extension for a third year may be considered, contingent on performance and funding.
The applied nuclear theory group has seven staff members. We conduct research on a broad set of topics, including developing phenomenological and microscopic models of nuclear reactions, nuclear data evaluations and uncertainty quantification, nuclear many-body theory, and high performance/quantum computing with applications in basic science (nuclear astrophysics and cosmology), nuclear energy (fusion and fission) and nuclear safety and security. The group also actively engages in collaborations with theorists and experimentalists at LANL and worldwide.
Interested applicants should submit their application (CV, research statement) and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent by email (t2-pdsearch-2025@lanl.gov) by June 6, 2025, for full consideration.
The successful candidate will:
Minimum Job Requirements:
Desired Qualifications:
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
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. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, 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, state, and local 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 (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.
The T-2 group (Nuclear and Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology) in the Theoretical Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory invites applications for one postdoctoral position in theoretical modeling of nuclear reactions and nuclear data evaluations, to begin in the Fall of 2025. Candidates are expected to have obtained a PhD in Physics or closely related field by the beginning of the postdoctoral appointment (within five years of receiving their PhD; exceptions to the five-year cutoff can be made for sufficiently extenuating circumstances). This appointment is for two years. Extension for a third year may be considered, contingent on performance and funding.
The applied nuclear theory group has seven staff members. We conduct research on a broad set of topics, including developing phenomenological and microscopic models of nuclear reactions, nuclear data evaluations and uncertainty quantification, nuclear many-body theory, and high performance/quantum computing with applications in basic science (nuclear astrophysics and cosmology), nuclear energy (fusion and fission) and nuclear safety and security. The group also actively engages in collaborations with theorists and experimentalists at LANL and worldwide.
Interested applicants should submit their application (CV, research statement) and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent by email (t2-pdsearch-2025@lanl.gov) by June 6, 2025, for full consideration.
The successful candidate will:
- Gain experience in theoretical and computational modeling of nuclear reaction and/or structure physics
- Publish research in leading scientific journals
- Develop strong programming skills
- Work both independently and in a team environment to solve problems in support of Laboratory missions
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Solid theoretical nuclear physics background, either in nuclear structure or nuclear reactions
- Demonstrated ability to write parallel computer programs in modern languages (Fortran90, C/C and Python)
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both written and orally
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience with microscopic and/or phenomenological models of nuclear reactions, applicable to fission and/or fusion processes
- Solid understanding of density functional theory
- Knowledge of CUDA/other GPU programming languages
Note to Applicants:
- For questions, please contact us at t2-pdsearch-2025@lanl.gov
- Please arrange for three letters of reference to be directly sent to t2-pdsearch-2025@lanl.gov. Reference letters sent via the applicant will not be considered.
- Experience in one or more of the listed desired qualifications is a plus but not strictly required to be considered for this position
- Review of applications will commence immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
- PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
- Dental and vision insurance
- Free basic life and disability insurance
- Paid childbirth and parental leave
- Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
- Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
- Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
- Onsite gyms and wellness programs
- Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
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. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, 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, state, and local 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 (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.
