Laser Modeling Physicist- Postdoctoral Researcher

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:

$113,487 - $125,525 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; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  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.

We are seeking a Laser Modeling Physicist- Postdoctoral Researcher within our Laser Science and Systems Engineering Program to participate in the research, development, and modeling of advanced solid state laser technology, and high energy laser design for Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF). This work will take place within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate, home to the world’s most energetic laser.  It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022, a historic moment in science, opening up new physics regimes and setting the stage for new fusion energy possibilities.

You will perform design, modeling, and commissioning of cutting-edge laser technology development and potentially execute experiments to verify and validate advanced laser concepts relevant to ICF laser driver architectures, laser propagation/amplification, linear and nonlinear optics and laser matter interaction research.

In this role, you will

• Conduct research and development in one or more of the following areas: modeling and experimental manipulation of laser beams state of polarization, optical parametric short pulse amplifiers, chirped pulse amplification, solid state laser materials science, frequency conversion and non-linear optics, and design of advanced laser architectures for the Next Generation of High Energy Density (NG-HED) in support of National Security missions.
• Design, implement, and analyze advanced laser physics and nonlinear optics models coupled with the existing LLNL beam propagation code VBL++ (Virtual Beam Line) running on both single and extreme parallel-processor high performance computers with the goal to find optimized designs for NG-HED.
• Partner with our Computer Science team to augment and experimentally validate the physics captured in  thermo-mechanical codes used to predict the impact of thermal and mechanical effects on beam quality (wavefront and polarization) at the component level  and the system level, when coupled with VBL++.
• Organize, analyze, and present data from research with peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences.
• Pursue independent complementary research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of researchers internally and externally to the Laboratory.
• Work within a dynamic team environment to document research; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the DOE community and at conferences.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires US citizenship.
• PhD in applied mathematics or physics, laser physics, general physics, atomic physics, optics and optoelectronics, or related field or discipline.
• Experience in experimental physics in one or more of the following areas: advanced polarization physics, solid state lasers, laser cavities, short pulse laser technology, frequency conversion, non-linear optics, crystal optics, thermo-mechanical fine-element calculations interfaced with optical performance.
• Experience with finite element analysis software packages (Ansys, COMSOL or equivalent).
• Experience with MATLAB, Python and/or similar scripting and data analysis tools.
• Experience in the various models used to capture the evolution of the polarization states of light.
• Experience in numerical methods to efficiently implement and solve these equations in codes.          
• Ability to perform as an innovative experimentalist with a broad range of experience in experimental design, techniques, and execution.
• Experience developing independent research projects, including publication of peer-reviewed literature.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience in laser modeling and familiarity with solid-state laser architecture.
• Hands-on experience with laser, linear and nonlinear optics experimental laboratory techniques.

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

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.

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.

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. 

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