Nuclear Weapons Scientist (Scientist 2/3)

at  Los Alamos National Laboratory

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

Demonstrated experience with one or more of these related tasks: Developing, running, or validating complex multi-physics and/or radiation transport codes. Experimental design and analysis. Theoretical or analytic work that underpins computational physics models or experimental design.

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

You must demonstrate the commitment to quality research, technical and scientific excellence, professional integrity, scientific communication, supporting diverse points of view, and personal initiative.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• We include a broad range of experience, any of which we request be noted in the cover letter. There is no expectation that a candidate has all, or even more than one of these skills.
• PhD preferred with postdoctoral work in Physics, Computational Science, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Materials Science, Chemistry or a related field.
• Active DOE Q Clearance
• Experience with large-scale computing.
• Familiarity with the design and analysis of nuclear weapons.
• Knowledge and experience relative to uncertainty and/or risk analysis.
• Relevant military and/or intelligence experience.

THIS POSITION WILL BE FILLED AT EITHER THE SCIENTIST 2/SCIENTIST 3 LEVEL, DEPENDING ON THE SKILLS OF THE SELECTED CANDIDATE. ADDITIONAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES (OUTLINED BELOW) WILL BE ASSIGNED IF THE CANDIDATE IS HIRED AT THE HIGHER LEVEL.

X-Theoretical Design (XTD) is a national resource for deterrence of existing or emerging threats. We are experts in the physics of nuclear weapons, tasked with designing nuclear explosives for the US stockpile, bolstering the nation’s nuclear triad capability and assessing global nuclear threats. We use advanced theoretical, numerical and experimental methods to understand nuclear weapons design, performance and safety. XTD scientists are from diverse backgrounds and fields, including physics, engineering, mathematics, and other natural sciences. We prioritize learning, scholarship, and independent thinking. We collaborate across disciplines, divisions, academia, other laboratories and agencies.
As a scientist in XTD your skills from the unclassified world will be honed through one-on-one mentoring, formal coursework, and on-the-job training to create the skills required to be effective in the classified world of nuclear weapons design and assessment.