Experimental Physicist

Company Description

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 essential to innovation and creativity for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$159,330 – $204,636 Annually

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.

Job Description

We have an opening for an Experimental Physicist to study high-energy-density and warm-dense-matter physics in laser-driven experiments. The role involves planning, designing, executing, and leading experiments on the National Ignition Facility (NIF), as well as other high power laser facilities, to support understanding of the physics governing laser-plasma interactions, hydrodynamics, radiation transport, implosion physics, material strength and nuclear physics. This position resides in High Energy Density (HED) Scientific & Technology (S&T) Program within the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF & PS) Principal Associate Directorate (PAD).

You will

• Contribute as a member of an interdisciplinary team to design and execute X-ray and laser driven experiments studying warm-dense matter and high-energy density physics at the NIF, OMEGA, and other facilities;
• Design, field, and coordinate optical, X-ray and nuclear diagnostics;
• Document and publish research results for internal audiences and in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals, present results at conferences, workshops, and seminars, and write periodic progress reports that capture and communicate research results;
• Collaborate with scientists and researchers and other stakeholders to accomplish research goals and organizational objectives;
• Coordinate team resources and plan experimental projects/campaigns;
• Engage with complementary research efforts and interact with broad spectrum of scientists internal and external to the Laboratory;
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 3112, generally prohibits citizens of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea without dual US citizenship or legal permanent residence from accessing specific non-public areas of national security or nuclear weapons facilities. The restrictions of NDAA Section 3112 apply to this position. To be qualified for this position, candidates must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112;
• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship;
• PhD in plasma physics, hydrodynamics, shock physics, spectroscopy, condensed matter, nuclear physics, dynamic material science, or related discipline;
• Advanced experience and knowledge in independent design, executing, and analyzing complex experiments at high-power laser facilities, in one of the following areas: laser-plasma interactions, hydrodynamics, radiation driven hydrodynamics, radiation transport, nuclear physics or high energy density experiments;
• Advanced experience developing, calibrating and fielding x-ray, optical or nuclear diagnostics and associated analysis techniques;
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills necessary to work in a multidisciplinary team environment, author technical and scientific reports and publications and deliver scientific presentations;
• Experience working independently with minimal direction and effective interpersonal skills necessary to collaborate and work in a team environment.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with developing and implementing nuclear and x-ray diagnostics to study materials at extreme temperatures and pressures in NIF and Omega experiments;
• Experience with data analysis tools and algorithms in Python, Matlab, or similar language;
• Experience with 1D and 2D radiation hydrodynamic codes.

Additional Information

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 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!;
• Flexible Benefits Package ;
• 401(k);
• Relocation Assistance;
• Education Reimbursement Program;
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs);
• Our core beliefs – visit .

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.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate 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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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.

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 .

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