Applied Mathematics and Plasma Physics Group Leader (T-5) (R&D Manager 4)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision

Life and disability

Parental leave

401(k) matching

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in northern New Mexico seeks a Group Leader for the Applied Mathematics and Plasma Physics Group (T-5) within the Theoretical Division. The role combines strategic management with direct scientific leadership, guiding an interdisciplinary team of researchers in math, plasma physics, and AI-driven research while advancing national security missions.

The successful candidate will recruit and mentor staff, foster collaboration across LANL and external sponsors, and

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in applied mathematics, numerical analysis, optimization, or related fields.
• Proven leadership and recruiting ability.
• Experience mentoring scientists at all levels.
• Excellent communication across disciplines and with sponsors.

Responsibilities

• Strategic and operational management of the group.
• Promote division-level visions and strategies; foster collaborations with LANL and external organizations.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop staff scientists, postdocs, and early-career researchers.
• Supervise group staff including performance evaluation, salary decisions, and career development.
• Maintain an active, vibrant research program, approximately 50% time.

Skills

Leadership experience

Recruitment and mentoring

Communication across disciplines

Mathematics/Physics research expertise

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

What You Will Do

This position is open for both internal and external candidates to apply.

The Theoretical Division is seeking candidates for the Group Leader position in the Applied Mathematics and Plasma Physics Group. The Applied Mathematics and Plasma Physics Group (T-5) in the Theoretical Division conducts research in applied mathematics, numerical analysis, optimization and control, artificial intelligence, image reconstruction/processing, network science, theoretical and computational plasma physics, space weather and fusion energy science. The group integrates an interdisciplinary team of researchers trained in mathematics, statistics, computer science, physics and engineering.

The group leader's responsibilities include:

• Strategic and operational management of the group
• Participation in division-level visions and strategies
• Promoting and maintaining fruitful scientific interactions with both internal and external organizations
• Working with staff scientists to recruit, mentor, and develop outstanding new scientific talent
• Fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce and environment
• Development of new opportunities to support the research enterprise in the group
• Direct supervision of the group's staff with responsibility for their performance evaluation, salary, and career development.

The group is composed of 43 staff scientists and 26 postdoctoral fellows who are supported by an annual budget of over $50M from multiple sponsors, including DOE (NNSA, Office of Science, Office of Electricity, ARPA-E), DOD and NASA. The group contributes to national and global security, with its researchers combining mathematical modeling, large scale computer simulations, and AI/data science to support Los Alamos National Laboratory's enhanced deterrence mission.

The group leader's responsibilities include management of the group, working with the division management, promoting and maintaining fruitful scientific interactions with organizations at LANL, working with staff scientists to recruit and develop outstanding new scientific talent, and to help develop new opportunities to support this research, and to develop the careers of graduate students, postdocs, and staff. The group leader must also conduct an active and vibrant research program at approximately 50% of their time.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

• Demonstrated expertise and record of accomplishment in one or more of the research areas described above; the ability to contribute technically to one or more group projects, and the ability to develop programs in associated technical areas.
• Effective and successful leadership experience, preferably in a scientific or technical team, group, or project setting.
• Experience recruiting, mentoring, supervising, and facilitating the technical work of scientific researchers at all levels.
• Effective communication skills, which includes, for example, an ability to engage in technical conversations across disciplines, an ability to discuss program strategies with current and potential sponsors, an ability to delegate tasks to staff and administrators, and an ability to interact with all levels of Laboratory management.

Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 8 years related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Experience building collaborative relationships across group, division, laboratory, and national boundaries.
• Experience proposing, developing, and sustaining research programs.
• Demonstrated record of recruitment and mentoring of excellent scientists.
• Active Q Clearance

Work Location

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q

Position will be cleared to this level. Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position

Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants

Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Incentive Compensation Program

Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.

Equal Opportunity

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to [e-mail] or call (505)-664-6947.