Deterministic Transport Computational Physicist

Company Description

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 dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$140,700 - $214,032 Annually

$140,700 - $178,392 Annually for the SES.2 level
$168,780 - $214,032 Annually for the SES.3 level

This is the lowest to highest salary in good faith 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.

Job Description

We have an opening for a Computational Physicist aiming to improve national security through the development of simulation codes for world class supercomputing architectures. You will collaborate as part of an interdisciplinary team in advancing state-of-the-art physics simulation capabilities. Applications may include inertial confinement fusion, high-energy density physics, nuclear/conventional weapons, or nuclear counterterrorism. Our projects span the range from smaller, focused research codes/modules to multi-physics, multi-application production codes.  This position is in the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate.   

This position may offer a hybrid schedule, which includes the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week, after a probationary period. The specifics of the hybrid schedule, including the exact number of days required in the office and virtual work options, may vary based on the needs of the team and the organization.

This position will be filled at either 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.  
 

In this role, you will  

• Build simulation tools using modern software practices as part of a team. 
• Develop models and algorithms to support physics capabilities for a diverse application space. 
• Support users of your simulation tools. 
• Share results through conferences, reports/publications, and potential interactions with collaborators. 
• Perform other tasks as assigned. 
   

Additional responsibilities at the mid-career (SES.3) level 

• Develop and critically assess physics capabilities to support applications requiring advanced simulation tools to solve complex problems. 
• Collaborate as a technical expert on multidisciplinary teams. 
• Set specific technical strategies to achieve project goals. 
   

Qualifications

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship. 
• PhD or equivalent level of proficiency in physics, mathematics, engineering, or related field. 
• Proficiency in developing scientific applications in Python, C/C++, or FORTRAN.
• Proficiency in deterministic methods for solving the Boltzmann transport equation. 
• Proficiency in converting theory into computational models, implementing computational models, or evaluating computational algorithms and methods for their applicability. 
• Effective verbal and written communication skills and experience authoring high-quality reports/publications and delivering effective technical presentations.

Additional qualifications at the mid-career (SES.3) level 

• Advanced knowledge of physics, mathematics, engineering, or a related field. 
• Significant experience with deterministic methods for solving the Boltzmann transport equation.
• Significant professional programming experience. 
• Experience in leading, mentoring, and/or collaborating within teams.  
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills and a demonstrated record of delivering top-quality research in relevant areas of science and engineering. 

Qualifications We Desire 

• Expertise in one or more science disciplines, such as shock hydrodynamics, solid/fluid mechanics, materials science, particle transport, radiation transport, nuclear physics, plasma physics, or physical chemistry.
• Proficiency in developing and sup