ES&H Academic Graduate Appointee

We are seeking a highly motivated Academic Graduate Appointee to join the Nuclear Criticality Safety Division within the Environment, Safety, and Health (ES&H) Directorate. This role offers the unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research in criticality safety, collaborate with leading experts, and develop innovative solutions to complex technical challenges. This position is in the Nuclear Criticality Safety Division within the ES&H Directorate at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

You will

• Conduct nuclear criticality safety research and analysis under the guidance of senior staff scientists.
• Design, execute, and analyze subcritical reactor physics experiments, including pulsed neutron die-away measurements and reactor noise analysis.
• Develop and validate Monte Carlo radiation transport models using codes such as COG, MCNP, OpenMC, and Serpent.
• Design and characterize nuclear instrumentation and radiation detection systems for experimental diagnostics.
• Develop Python-based software tools for nuclear data analysis, reactor kinetics parameter extraction, and experimental data visualization.
• Collaborate with researchers at other DOE national laboratories, naval facilities, and international institutions.
• Support nuclear criticality safety evaluations for operations involving fissile material.
• Contribute to scientific publications and present results at technical conferences.
• Assist with fissile material operations and experiments at LLNL facilities and potentially at the Nevada National Security Site.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship. 
• Bachelor's degree in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical field.
• Foundation in reactor physics, neutron transport theory, and nuclear engineering principles demonstrated through coursework and/or research experience.
• Experience with Monte Carlo radiation transport codes (e.g., MCNP, OpenMC, Serpent, COG) through coursework or research projects.
• Proficiency in Python programming for scientific computing and data analysis.
• Experience with reactor kinetics, subcritical multiplication, or neutron detection techniques.
• Understanding of nuclear criticality safety principles and fissile material operations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail necessary for nuclear safety applications.
• Effective interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively in multidisciplinary team environments.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to document technical analyses, prepare presentations, and contribute to scientific publications.
• Ability to work independently while following rigorous safety protocols and quality assurance requirements.

Qualifications We Desire

• Hands-on experience with radiation detection instrumentation (e.g., He-3 detectors, scintillators, neutron generators)
• Experience with experimental design, data acquisition systems, and uncertainty quantification
• Knowledge of nuclear data evaluation and processing

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a one-year Academic Graduate Appointee, open to those who have been awarded a degree at the time of the employment offer.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

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

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Reasonable Accommodation

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