Nuclear Scientist 2 (Scientist 2)

What You Will Do

Help support our National Security Mission and discover why we attract the best minds in the world!

The Nuclear Engineering and Nonproliferation Division's purpose is to utilize nuclear technology in the interests of national security and reduce the threat nuclear technology may pose to national security. We deter, detect and respond to the misuse of nuclear technology by state and nonstate actors, provide support to the nuclear stockpile, and develop nuclear power options for national security.

We are seeking nuclear scientists who want to make an impact in one or more areas of our Global Security mission. The division accomplishes this mission by fostering a work environment that encourages creative problem solving, teamwork, and passion for the mission while allowing flexibility in the work assignment.

NEN Division has 4 groups with the following focus areas:

  • Safeguards Science and Technology (NEN-1): Defends against state-actor misuse of nuclear materials by developing and testing new technologies for domestic and international safeguards and providing training for the safeguards community.
  • Advanced Nuclear Technology (NEN-2): Answers crucial questions for US nuclear weapons, foreign nuclear threats and nuclear criticality safety through unique experimental and measurement expertise and facilities.
  • International Threat Reduction (NEN-3): Provides the U.S. and the world with capabilities to both secure nuclear material and technology under regulatory control and detect nuclear materials outside of regulatory control.
  • Nuclear Systems (NEN-5): Provides technical design and systems analysis solutions that meet national security needs, address critical risks, support strategic planning, enhance safeguards, and maintain our leadership in the advanced and space nuclear reactor domains.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:


Technical R&D Experience

  • Demonstrated experience applying nuclear science techniques and analysis to solve complex problems.
  • Demonstrated experience conducting collaborative experimental R&D in the nuclear science in at least 1 of these areas:
    • development of radiation detection equipment, remote detection, nuclear safeguards, analysis of gamma and/or neutron data, international nuclear policy, nuclear reactor design, nuclear system analysis, experiment design/optimization, nuclear data validation, reactor experiments, sensitivity/uncertainty analysis, radiation transport simulations, and/or arms control.

Communications

  • Excellent writing and communication skills, as evidenced by publications and the cover letter. Experience in working effectively both independently and in a team.
  • Team Demonstrated history of collaborating effectively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, ages, and skill sets.
  • Experience working effectively independently and in a team.

Work Environment

  • Demonstrated record of fostering a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.


Proposal Writing

  • Experience in the proposal process with US Government sponsors


Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor' degree in a STEM field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience, typically with post-doctoral research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience directly related to the occupation. Advanced degree preferred.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience developing project plans and leading small interdisciplinary teams to develop and implement solutions
  • Experience developing successful proposals
  • PhD in STEM field
  • Ability to obtain a Q Clearance. Obtaining a Q clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position Commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Notes to Applicants:
In addition to the resume or CV, you must include a cover letter addressing each of the minimum job requirements and desired skills.

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)
Additional Details

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.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Term position:
Regular-status Laboratory employees applying for term-status positions may retain regular status with approval of the cognizant Principle Associate Director.

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 and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to 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 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 1-505-664-6947 option 2 and then option 3.