Find Computational Nuclear Data Scientist (Scientist 1|2) Job in Los Alamos, New Mexico | Snaprecruit

What You Will Do

This position will be filled at either the Scientist 1 or 2 level, depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

The Materials and Physical Data group (XCP-5) in the Computational Physics Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is an interdisciplinary group which develops, implements, and validates constitutive models (material strength, damage and failure, etc.), equations of state (EOS), and physical data libraries including opacities and nuclear cross sections for use in large-scale simulation codes; additionally, some group members collaborate in the design and analysis of small-scale and integral validation experiments for material models and physical data. XCP-5 offers an exciting, flexible, scientifically challenging work environment with many opportunities to collaborate with the broader LANL scientific community. We are currently seeking highly motivated candidates to join our nuclear data team.

The nuclear data team in XCP-5 performs a wide range of activities along the nuclear data pipeline, from evaluations of nuclear data, their processing, their validation through the use of open and protected integral benchmarks, the creation of continuous-energy and multi-group data libraries for a range of applications, and the development and/or modernization of computing tools (e.g., NJOY21) to perform all the complex operations that sustain this pipeline. The nuclear data team works closely with other teams at the laboratory (e.g., MCNP, PARTISN, nuclear theory and data evaluators, LANSCE for neutron-induced experiments, radiochemists, integral benchmarks experimentalists, statisticians and AI/ML experts, and many others) to apply novel techniques to nuclear data problems, and also interact with and support nuclear data users. Team members are very active in participating and leading various national and international efforts through organizations such as the Cross Section Evaluation Working Group (CSEWG), the Nuclear Data Working Group (NDWG/WANDA), the OECD-NEA/WPEC, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), etc., and continually foster connections to universities to mentor students.

Scientist 1 $90,000 - $147,100
XCP-5 is seeking highly motivated early- to mid-career candidates to develop higher fidelity nuclear data libraries to be used primarily in simulations for stockpile stewardship and global security applications. Considerable effort is underway at LANL and elsewhere to improve the measurements of relevant data, the theory used to describe these reactions, the uncertainties in both, and understand their impact on these applications. The successful candidate will work with these communities, both nationally and internationally, to help develop, implement, and validate new physics models/data libraries and support their use. This position is particularly focused on the development, maintenance, and modernization of computational tools-e.g., NJOY, application/data interfaces, and workflow management tools-in use daily by scientists both at LANL and worldwide.

Scientist 2 $99,200 - $164,100
In addition to what was outlined at the Scientist 1 level, at this level at this level you will be expected to be more self-guided and motivated in contributing to the tasks outlined above. You will be expected to have a more in-depth background in work on tools like NJOY, along with additional experience integrating and working within a team and interfacing with a user community.
Additional job responsibilities will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level. Priority consideration will be given to candidates with previous experience in the creation or usage of nuclear data. Priority consideration will be given to candidates with previous experience in the creation or usage of nuclear data.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Technical Knowledge
Demonstrated scientific achievement in one or more of the following related fields: scientific computing, nuclear physics, and/or nuclear engineering.

Programming Experience
Experience with compiled (e.g., C++) and/or scripting (e.g., Python) computer language(s).

Software Development
Demonstrated knowledge of modern software development process and tools, numerical methods, algorithms, and user support.

Computing Experience
Experience with modern computing architectures and worklows including parallel computing, high performance computing (HPC) resources, and/or GPUs

Collaboration
Demonstrated strong interpersonal and teaming skills, the ability to function effectively in a team environment, and a willingness to learn new skills and be flexible in work assignments. This includes exhibiting professional conduct in interactions with co-workers and supervisors.

Communication
Demonstrated strong written and verbal communication skills as showcased by journal publications or conference presentations.

Additional Job Requirements for Scientist 2:
In addition to the requirements outlined above, qualification at the higher level requires substantial experience in one or more of the following:

Nuclear Data Applications
Knowledge of and/or experience in at least one nuclear data application, e.g., criticality safety, reactor physics, stockpile or global security applications, etc.

Nuclear Data Processing Codes
Experience with nuclear data processing codes (e.g., NJOY) to build and verify application libraries.

Neutron Transport Codes
Experience with neutron transport codes (e.g., MCNP, PARTISN) to perform neutronics simulation analysis and validation.

Nuclear Data Formats
Previous knowledge of nuclear data formats, e.g., ENDF, GNDS, ACE.

Education/Experience for Scientist 1: Position requires a bachelor's degree in nuclear physics, nuclear engineering, computer science, or related field from an accredited college or university and 2 years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.
Education/Experience for Scientist 2: Positions requires a bachelor's degree in nuclear physics, nuclear engineering, computer science, or related field from an accredited college and university and 4 years of related experience.

Desired Qualifications:

Statistical Methods
Knowledge of statistical methods such as Machine Learning or Artificial Intelligence.

Uncertainty Quantification
Experience in uncertainty quantification related to nuclear data evaluations or forward-propagation of these uncertainties to applications.

Mentorship
Mentoring experience of students, postdocs or early-career staff.

Education
A Ph.D. in nuclear physics, nuclear engineering, computer science, or related field. Typically has post-doctoral research experience at a university or national lab or equivalent experience directly related to the occupation

Clearance
Ability to obtain a DOE Q-clearance, which usually requires US citizenship. Note: this is a desired but not a required qualification.

A candidate with the ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance is desired, but not required. If eligible*, selected applicants will be subject to a Federal background investigation for access to classified matter. Non-US citizens are eligible for this position.

• Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Manual 472.2 for additional information.

Work Environment:
Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.
Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants:
Applicants should submit a CV/resume and a detailed cover letter describing how they meet the required and desired qualifications for this position. We welcome a broad pool of candidates from a diverse background. For more information or questions please contact: Abigail Hunter (ahunter@lanl.gov) and/or Nathan Gibson (ngibson@lanl.gov).

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network

Dental and vision insurance

Free basic life and disability insurance

Paid childbirth and parental leave

Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)

Onsite gyms and wellness programs

Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Term position: Regular-status Laboratory employees applying for term-status positions may retain regular status with approval of the cognizant Principle Associate Director.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call 1-505-665-4444 option 1.