Design Physicist

We have multiple openings for Design Physicists. We are seeking exceptional physical scientists and engineers with backgrounds in fields such as plasma physics, radiation transport, atomic physics, nuclear physics, physical chemistry, condensed matter physics, computational physics, or hydrodynamics. Our national-security mission encompasses aspects of computational, theoretical, and experimental physics associated with the complex processes of nuclear explosives. Under limited direction, you will be responsible for advancing our understanding and developing methodologies for important national-security challenges. This position is in the Design Physics Division within the Weapons and Complex Integration (WCI) Directorate.

This position will be filled at either level based on knowledge and related experience as assessed by the hiring team. Additional job responsibilities (outlined below) will be assigned if hired at the higher level.

In this role you will

• Design and provide analysis of complex experiments exploring the physics of nuclear explosives.
• Simulate weapons phenomena and perform weapons assessment and certification tasks using physical models in computer codes. Participate in the assessment of foreign nuclear weapon systems.
• Present and disseminate research results at scientific conferences and in peer-reviewed publications, in both open and classified environments, internal and external to LLNL. Positively represent the Program and Laboratory demonstrating advanced verbal and written skills. Responsibilities may also include interacting with external stakeholders, both at NNSA and across the broader interagency, via offsite assignments.
• Develop expertise in interrelated fields of physics important to weapons assessment and certification.
• Lead independent work conducting applied physics research. Lead and mentor staff as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Lead top quality research in relevant areas of physics and engineering. Problem-solve and make decisions necessary to independently address challenging problems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.4 Level

• Assess the highly complex physics interactions that take place in a nuclear explosion.
• Design and provide in depth analysis of experiments exploring the physics of nuclear explosives. Define and implement stockpile stewardship for specific weapons systems.
• Simulate weapons phenomena and perform highly advanced weapons assessment and certification tasks using physical models in computer codes.