Applied Scientist

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have an opening for anApplied Scientistto support and lead modeling and experimental investigation of radiation effects on nuclear materials. In this role, you will be a key member of an interdisciplinary team studying the mechanical effects associated with rapid energy deposition from x-rays, neutrons and high-explosive shocks, and how these effects may impact complex mechanical structures.

You will be responsible for integrating experimental data with advanced modeling and simulation workflows to develop and validate physics-based material models for radiation and shock environments. The role requires hands-on involvement across the full experimental lifecycle-including the design, build, and fielding of experiments, implementation of advanced diagnostics, data analysis, and communication of results to management, sponsors, and external agencies. You will also travel as necessary to interact with sponsors and customers. This position is in the Physics Division.

This position requires full-time on-site presence due to the nature of the work.

This position will be filled at eitherlevel 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

• Integrate experimental and simulation data to develop and validate advanced material models for extreme environments.
• Design, build, and field experimental platforms, collaborating with technical staff and utilizing advanced diagnostics such as time-resolved X-ray imaging, photonic Doppler velocimetry, digital image correlation, and other measurement techniques.
• Develop and automate scientific data analysis workflows using Python, MATLAB, and high-performance computing environments.
• Lead the full experimental lifecycle, including experimental design, experiment execution, data analysis, and communication of results to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Author technical reports, research publications, and present findings at scientific meetings, sponsor briefings, and management reviews.
• Maintain an awareness of technical literature in assigned areas.
• Prepare written analyses and verbal briefings that capture and communicate research results.
• Travel as necessary to interact with sponsors and customers.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.3 level

• Serve as a technical specialistin formal and ad hoc groups assembled to address pressing applications in national security.
• Lead and develop new areas of scientific inquiry
• Mentor and help develop staff

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• MS in Applied Science, Physics, Materials Science/Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related field, or the equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Broad experience integrating experimental results with computational modeling and simulation for material model development and validation.
• Broad expertise designing, building, and executing dynamic experiments using advanced diagnostics (e.g., X-ray imaging, photonic Doppler velocimetry, digital image correlation, high-speed instrumentation).
• Proficiency with hydrocodes and multiphysics simulation tools (e.g., ARES, ABAQUS, LS-DYNA, ALE3D) and familiarity with radiation transport and X-ray modeling techniques.
• Proficient scientific computing and data analysis skills (Python, MATLAB), including workflow automation and version control (e.g., Git).
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills, with a record of technical reporting, scientific presentations, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Broad experience working in highly regulated laboratory or industrial environments, with knowledge of safety and quality assurance practices.
• Ability to travel.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• PhD in Applied Science, Physics, Materials Science/Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Chemistry, or a closely related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Significant experience developing research proposals.
• Experience leading experimental campaigns and developing new research directions in dynamic materials or radiation effects.
• Ability to mentor and train junior staff or students in experimental and computational methods.
• Significant experience presenting technical results to sponsors, management, and at national/international conferences.
• Significant experience working with neutron, optical, X-ray, and/or shock diagnostics.
• Significant experience designing and executing experiments in highly regulated nuclear environments, including the capability to mentor others in this activity.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience within an NNSA laboratory.
• Desire to work on national security programs.
• Active Q clearance

Pay Range

$146,340 - $185,544 Annually for the SES.2 level

$175,530 - $222,564 Annually for the SES.3 level

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. 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.

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

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

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• FlexibleBenefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visithttps://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet 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 useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile device,you must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate 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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