Undergrad Student
- Req. Number: IRC135003
- Organization : T-6/Theoretical Biology And Biophysics
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
We are looking for candidates to join our team in Los Alamos National Laboratory's Theoretical Division (T-Division). T-Division provides a unique and engaging environment that fosters multidisciplinary collaborations to support the laboratory's strategic basic research and national security missions. The Theoretical Biology and Biophysics (T-6) group within T-Division conducts research across a wide variety of topics, including genomics, phylogenetics, structural and evolutionary biology, medical interventions for infectious diseases, epidemiology and pathogen spread, and more. These application areas are unified by research in mathematical models, data analytics and data fusion, statistical methods, data-driven modeling, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.
The Theoretical Biology and Biophysics group is seeking qualified candidates to hire as undergraduate students to work within our research teams. This is an educational opportunity for the selected candidates to contribute to cutting-edge scientific research and to learn new skills and areas. This position is open to students who will be actively enrolled in an undergraduate program throughout the appointment. Summer positions are also open to graduating undergraduates who have been accepted into graduate programs in the Spring of 2025 under a separate posting. Selected students must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 in their undergraduate coursework. Most students participate for a 10-12-week period over the summer. Selected candidates will be paired with a mentoring team and will work closely with one of the scientific teams within T-6.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Enrollment in an associate or bachelor's degree in applied mathematics, Physics, Biophysics, Statistics, Biology, Computer Science, Epidemiology, or closely related fields
- A minimum 3.0 out of 4.0 cumulative GPA on undergraduate course work
- Ability to work within a collaborative multi-disciplinary team environment
- Desire to learn new things and openness to work on different projects
Education/Experience: Enrolled Undergraduate Student
Desired Qualifications:
- Ability to independently learn the usage of scientific software packages, writing code, understand the biological system being modeled, and how to perform analytical calculations or learn new modeling methods
- Experience or deep interest in one or more of the following topical areas or closely related:
- Structural Biology
- Evolutionary Biology, with focus on pathogen evolution
- Phylogenetics and/or Phylodynamics
- Nonlinear differential equations (deterministic or stochastic)
- Computational Modeling or Agent-Based Models
- Data Analysis and Data Fitting
- Infectious Disease Spread Modeling
- Analysis of Medical/ Health Data
- Immune System Models (Cellular or Within-Host)
- Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning
Note to Applicants:
For full consideration the package must include:
- CV with contact for 2 references
- One-page cover letter that highlights your qualifications and research interests. In the letter, clearly identify areas of interest by number from the topical areas listed above.
- For full consideration for spring and summer 2025 positions please apply by January 30th, 2025. Review of applicants will likely start in December.
- Contact Melanie Vigil (mlvigil@lanl.gov) for more details about this position.
- Salaries depend on education completed.
Essential Job Functions (can perform with or without reasonable accommodation): All successful applicants will need to be able to work on a laptop or computer as the primary tool for completing work.
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. Some flexibility to work-from-home may be considered.
Where You Will Work
Located in Northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. LANL enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns. 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.
Incentive Compensation Program: For general program information refer to the Student Programs web page: https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/student-internships/index.php
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 or preference, 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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.
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