Quantum Computing for Nuclear Reaction Theory - Postdoctoral Researcher - Military Veterans

at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

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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 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

$118,884 Annually

Job Description

We have an opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher to conduct research in quantum computing applied to nuclear structure and reaction theory. You will participate in innovative research developing state of the art quantum many-body simulations, executing those simulations on quantum platforms, and modeling those simulations on world leading high-performance computing (HPC) systems. While focus is on developing hardware-informed digital/analog simulations of nuclear systems, the interest spans the full scope of theory and development needed to simulate any many-body fermionic system. This position is in the Nuclear Data and Theory group of the Nuclear and Chemical Sciences Division.

You will

Conduct innovative research in quantum computing simulations as they apply to many-body fermionic systems.
Connect approaches in formal scattering/reaction theory to quantum algorithms realizable on near term hardware.
Design and carry out simulations on DOE quantum testbeds and accessible commercial platforms, and model/benchmark those simulations on LLNL HPC systems.
Engage in collaborations between the Nuclear Data and Theory group, internal (LLNL), and external collaborators.
Pursue complementary research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.
Present research results at scientific conferences and meetings and in peer reviewed publications.
Contribute to proposal submissions.
Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). See Additional Information section below for details.
Ph.D. in Theoretical Physics, Computer Science, or related field.
Experience in theoretical methods applied to quantum simulations (experience in the context of nuclear physics, broadly speaking, preferred but not required).
Experience developing computer codes for physics problems.
Ability to develop innovative approaches to tackle scientific and technical problems.
Proficient verbal and written communications skills necessary to author technical and scientific reports and publications, and to deliver scientific presentations.
Initiative and interpersonal skills with desire and ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications We Desire

Experience in theoretical methods applied to nuclear structure, reactions, or astrophysical simulations (or similar methods in other fields of physics).
Documented publication record in peer-reviewed literature with experience presenting research results to a large audience.
Familiarity with any of C++, C, Python, or equivalent computer programming languages, parallel programming, and general interest in developing large-scale HPC solutions to physical problems leveraging advanced architectures.

Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

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

None required. However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process. This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check. (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.)

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

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.

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.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under "Find Your Job" of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

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.

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 .

Livermore, CA

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

Science and technology on a mission

For more than 60 years, the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has applied science and technology to make the world a safer place.

Livermore’s defining responsibility is ensuring the safety, security and reliability of the nation’s nuclear deterrent. Yet LLNL’s mission is broader than stockpile stewardship, as dangers ranging from nuclear proliferation and terrorism to energy shortages and climate change threaten national security and global stability. The Laboratory’s science and engineering are being applied to achieve breakthroughs for counterterrorism and nonproliferation, defense and intelligence, energy and environmental security.

Our Mission

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has a mission of strengthening the United States’ security through development and application of world-class science and technology to:

Enhance the nation’s defense.
Reduce the global threat from terrorism and weapons of mass destruction.
And respond with vision, quality, integrity and technical excellence to scientific issues of national importance.

Our Vision

Lead the nation in stockpile science, innovation and sustainment.
Be the foremost national security laboratory, anticipating, innovating and delivering solutions for the nation’s most challenging security problems.
Be the premier destination for our nation’s very best scientists and engineers.

Our Values

Ideas. Livermore is the “new ideas” laboratory, and we continue to aspire to intellectual leadership, originality, and audacity. We support an environment that encourages open exchange and critique. Ideas also improve operations and lead to new, better ways of doing business.
Impact. Innovation happens when new ideas have impact—on our mission, on people’s lives. Ultimately, our success depends on applying frontier science and technology, through disciplined engineering, to deliver solutions for—have impact on—our mission.
Integrity. We serve the public interest and act to sustain the public trust through transparency, honesty, and objectivity. We act ethically in our research activities, our business practices, and our interactions with each other. We are dedicated to collective success, and committed to safety and security as an integral part of the mission.
Inclusiveness. The challenges of our mission demand that we draw on the widest possible diversity of talents, thought, and experiences. To capitalize on the range of individual and diverse talents needed for mission success, we form and work in teams, characterized by mutual respect and support.
Zeal. It’s good to love what you do. We value enthusiasm for and commitment to the Lab’s mission. We have a “fire in the belly” to excel, lead, and change the world. And as an institution, the Lab will aspire to be a place where people can find fulfillment and love their work. Our Priorities
- Deliver on our stockpile stewardship mission.
- Enhance and expand our mission in the broad national security space.
- Sustain and ensure that we are at the cutting edge in the science, engineering and technology capabilities our sponsors need.
- Ensure excellence in execution: deliver results of the highest quality, on schedule and on budget.
- Ensure excellence in operations: safety, security, environment and state of the art business practices and processes.
- Improve our cost effectiveness.
- Provide a first-class workplace environment to our employees.
- Expand our contributions to the local and national economy through partnerships with academia and industry.

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