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 committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$191,220 - $245,544 Annually for the SES.4 level

$229,440 - $294,672 Annually for the SES.5 level 

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

We have an opening for a Computational Physicist to work on atomistic simulation methods to understand and predict properties of matter using state-of-the-art computing technologies. You will contribute to the construction of interatomic potentials and development of simulation software, and the use of atomistic simulation capabilities to address LLNL mission needs. This position is in the Condensed Matter Section of the Physics Division.

This position will be filled at either the SES.4 or SES.5 level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

You will 

• Construct interatomic potentials to capture complex physical and chemical interactions for a range of applications to material behaviors and properties.
• Develop and evaluate improved forms of interatomic potential, incorporating innovative approaches such as machine-learning, to connect with evolving capabilities in electronic structure predictions.
• Contribute to the development of state-of-the-art molecular dynamics simulation software, and data analysis methods to extract relevant properties from simulations.
• Perform molecular dynamics simulations to help develop effective connections between advanced simulation capabilities and programmatic needs.
• Publish research results in technical and peer-reviewed scientific journals, and present results at technical meetings and external conferences.
• Maintain an awareness of technical literature in related areas. 
• Periodically prepare written analyses and verbal briefings. 
• Travel as necessary to interact with sponsors and collaborators.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.5 level

• Provide leadership, direction, and scientific and technical oversight in molecular dynamics science and technology, ensuring the creation, maintenance, and enhancement of underlying core competencies.
• Articulate the objectives and develop the strategic plan defining core capabilities and future scientific directions in this area; actively engage with LLNL discipline units and programs, and external collaborators and stakeholders, to deepen partnerships and ensure relevance, synergy, and complementarity of research activities.
• Provide leadership in recruiting and hiring high quality scientific staff, and training and developing existing staff, in collaboration with stakeholders in other LLNL organizations.
• Oversee research commitments, program resources, and budgets including DOE, external programs, and internal science funding, ensuring all Laboratory and DOE fiscal policies and practices are followed. 
• Promote and enhance effective partnerships and interactions with sponsors of LLNL programs; foster integration with relevant national and international scientific organizations and their activities, including workshop and conference sponsorship and major interactions and collaborations with universities, national labs and pertinent science program sponsors at other DOE laboratories. 

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Computational Sciences, or related field or the equivalent combination of education and relevant experience. 
• Ability to develop complex computer programs.
• Significant experience with high-performance computing.
• Significant knowledge and experience in developing computational models and simulations.
• Significant experience authoring technical publications and delivering scientific presentations. 
• Record of scientific creativity, achievement, and leadership, as documented in publications and professional recognition; experience leading DOE and/or DOD funded projects and understanding of DOE and/or DOD strategic roadmaps.
• Expert verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively collaborate in a team environment and present and explain technical information and provide advice to management and external sponsors.

Additional qualifications at the SES.5 level

• Substantial recognition for molecular dynamics research within the scientific community.
• Extensive experience developing, managing, and evaluating programs, projects, and personnel in a technically diverse organization. 
• Ability to lead, motivate, delegate effectively and build interdisciplinary teams to work toward programmatic and institutional goals. Team effectively with other Laboratory organizations to define and meet institutional strategic goals. 
• Extensive experience interacting and negotiating at a high level with internal and external organizations and constituencies, with extensive experience working effectively in a high-impact, high-visibility, multi-task environment and the ability to lead a management team contributing to strategic planning. 
• Expert communication, facilitation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills necessary to direct an organization, lead innovative research and interact with management and customers/sponsors. 

Qualifications We Desire

• Significant experience with artificial intelligence, machine learning, and data analytics.
• Familiarity with programs and core capabilities relevant to Physics Division and sponsors. 
• Experience developing, managing, and evaluating programs, projects, and personnel in a diverse organization. 

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values 
• Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

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.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

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.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.