National Ignition Facility and Photon Science Graduate Student Intern - Summer 2025

The National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate has multiple openings for graduate level students and students who have received a bachelor’s or master’s degree to engage in practical research experience to further their educational goals. You will provide research opportunities in a large array of fields such as lasers, laser-plasma physics, electro-optics, software development, and optical, x-ray and nuclear instrument development and testing. For more information, please visit https://lasers.llnl.gov/education/summer-scholar. References may be required.

In this role you will 

• Work alongside scientists doing work and research at onsite laser and nuclear facilities in the areas of advanced laser development, laser plasma interactions, hydrodynamics, material science, radiation physics and various advanced diagnostic systems.
• Conduct research (experimental, theoretical, or modeling) in assigned area, under close supervision.
• Gather and analyze data or information in support of scientific research.
• Communicate research results: document work, present and discuss findings.
• Attend relevant seminars and prepare a poster for the Student Intern Poster Symposium.
• Perform technical assignments of a basic degree of complexity and provide advanced technical support to scientist in scientific research and development projects.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Must be a continuing college or university student in good standing at an accredited institution pursuing a graduate degree or has completed their bachelor’s or master’s degree engineering, physics, or a related field.
• Demonstrated exposure through coursework or relevant experience with tools associated to your field of study. For experimental work this can include data reduction and manipulation, image processing, computer-aided drafting, or similar; for theoretical/computational work this includes numerical methods and scientific programming languages (Python, MATLAB, etc.).
• A sustained record of outstanding academic performance.
• Ability to work full time for ten to twelve weeks during the summer months.
• Ability to apply basic engineering or scientific principles to solve technical problems.
• Ability to present and communicate concepts and ideas.
• Effective interpersonal skills with the ability to work in a team environment.
• Experience working with personal computers and familiarity with Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

Desired Qualifications

• Prior experience in physics or engineering laboratory settings for experimental assignments and in cluster/high performance computing or plasma physics codes for computational assignments.
• GPA of 3.0 or above.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Holiday Pay
• Sick leave accrual
• Individual 401(k) contributions
• 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.) 

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.