Laser Modeling Physicist- Postdoctoral Researcher

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 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. This position is in the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) Principal Associate Directorate (PAD).

In this role, you will

• Conduct research and development in one or more of the following areas: modeling and experimental manipulation of beam propagation, optical breakdown in gases, nonlinear effects, frequency conversion and design of advanced laser architectures for the Next Generation of High Energy Density (NG-HED) systems in support of National Security missions.
• Design, implement, and validate with measurements 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.
• Participate in the design of innovative technologies to be deployed at the National Ignition Facility involving kJ laser pulses, gas breakdown, shock-waves generation and particulate generation.
• Organize, analyze, and present data from research with peer-reviewed publications and presentations at conferences.
• Pursue independent (but 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, optics and optoelectronics or related field or discipline.
• Experience in experimental physics in one or more of the following areas: atmospheric beam propagation, optical polarization, solid state lasers, laser cavities, short pulse laser technology, frequency conversion, non-linear optics, crystal optics, computational fluid dynamics, laser-matter interaction.
• Experience with finite element analysis software packages (Ansys, COMSOL or equivalent).
• Experience with Mathematica, MATLAB, Python and/or similar scripting and data analysis tools.
• Experience in developing mathematical models for beam propagation including nonlinear interactions, for long and short pulses
• Experience in numerical methods to efficiently implement and solve these equations in codes.          
• Ability to perform as an innovative researcher 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 atmospheric beam propagation, nonlinear optics and basics of solid-state laser architectures.
• Hands-on experience with laser, linear and nonlinear optics experimental laboratory techniques.

#LI-Onsite

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 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.

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