Nuclear Criticality Safety Research Staff Member

We have an opening for a Nuclear Criticality Safety Research Staff Member in the Nuclear Criticality Safety Division within the Environment, Safety, and Health Directorate. We are seeking creative and flexible individuals who meet the scientific requirements and whose skills are aligned with the research mission of the national Nuclear Criticality Safety Program. This position requires interaction with professional colleagues inside and outside of the laboratory.

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.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work environment combining on-site presence and the ability to work some days from home.

You will

• Collaborate in the moderately complex to complex design, modeling, and analysis of laboratory critical and subcritical experiments.  Evaluate experimental benchmarks for the International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project (ICSBEP).
• Collaborate in the development of radiation measurement instrumentation and measurement of radiation fields.
• Design and oversee fabrication of equipment as required.
• Develop experimental procedures as required and guide them through safety and management reviews.
• Qualify as a Nuclear Criticality Safety Engineer and assist in performing criticality safety evaluations of laboratory work.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and present results at external conferences, seminars, and/or technical meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Additional job responsibilities at the SES.3 level

• Function as a Principal Investigator for complex critical and subcritical experiments, leading the design, execution, and benchmarking phases of the project.
• Develop proposals for novel projects from existing and new sponsors.

• 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 closely related scientific discipline or equivalent combination of education and prior relevant experience.
• Broad experience with radiation transport methods, such as MCNP, SCALE, GEANT, COG, Serpent, OpenMC etc.
• Comprehensive experience in computational physics and working knowledge of one or more programming languages (Python, FORTRAN, C++, etc).
• Demonstrated proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to author technical and scientific reports, proposals, publications and deliver scientific presentations.
• Ability to work under limited direction as well as in multidisciplinary research teams.
• Ability to provide moderately complex to complex analyses and develop unique technical solutions.

Additional qualifications at the SES.3 level

• Significant experience conducting and analyzing complex experiments involving nuclear material.
• Experience as an ICSBEP user, evaluator, or reviewer.

Qualifications We Desire

• Masters or Doctorate in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or closely related discipline.
• Active DOE “Q” clearance.

Pay Range: $146,340- $222,564 Annually

$146,340- $185,544 Annually at the SES.2 Level

$175,530- $222,564 Annually at the SES.3 Level

This is the lowest to highest salary range in good faith we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

#LI-Hybrid

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026 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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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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