Applied Statistics Postdoc

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Statistics Group (CAI-4) to develop novel statistical and machine learning methods for national security applications. You will collaborate with scientists across domains to create practical, statistically sound solutions and advance your professional growth through seminars, travel, and HPC exposure.

In this role, you will work on anomaly detection, uncertainty quantification in imaging, and other projects

Qualifications

• PhD in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science or closely related field.
• Experience in statistical and scientific computing (e.g., Python, R, C/C++).
• Demonstrated collaborative research with publications and presentations.

Responsibilities

• Develop novel statistical and ML methods for application-driven questions at LANL.
• Collaborate across disciplines with scientists and engineers to implement solutions.

Skills

Statistical computing

Collaboration

Research publications

Education

PhD in Statistics/Math/CS

Tools

Python

R

C/C++

Job description

What You Will Do

The Statistics Group (CAI-4) in the Computing and Artificial Intelligence Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to develop novel statistical and machine learning methods targeting application-driven questions of interest. The successful candidate will collaborate across disciplines with scientists and engineers to execute creative, practical, and statistically-sound solutions to important national security problems at LANL. Example projects may include, but are not limited to: (1) Developing anomaly detection methods for heterogeneous measurement data collected at disparate time scales within nuclear facilities. (2) Novel uncertainty quantification methods for analyzing complex structures in diagnostic images to support fusion science experiments. We will work with the successful candidate to develop a portfolio of projects best suited for their current skillset and interests. Furthermore, this position will support your growth as a professional statistician, including conference travel, manuscript publication, a regular statistics seminar series, experience with high-performance computing (HPC) and superintelligence (SI) tools, networking, service, and mentorship opportunities. CAI-4 is an outstanding team of statisticians that is consistently recognized for award-winning research and high-impact contributions, both at LANL and within the professional statistics and machine learning community. We collaborate extensively on scientific problems in many domains, including materials science, environmental modeling, cosmology, space science, cyber security, plasma physics, nuclear safeguards, epidemiology, and complex engineered systems (i.e. the nuclear stockpile). Carefully-planned simulations and high-performance computing play a critical role in many of these applications. You will join and contribute to a team of statisticians with expertise in computer experiments and uncertainty quantification, design of experiments, machine learning, reliability, Bayesian methods, functional data analysis, spatial and time series modeling, stochastic processes, graphical models, advanced regression techniques, image analysis, and statistical computing. Our group focuses on developing and executing strategies that answer important questions driven by the application, creating valuable and actionable results, contributing directly to scientific advances, and supporting the national security mission.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• A Ph.D. in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a closely related field, earned within the last 5 years.
• Experience in statistical and scientific computing (e.g. C/C++, Python, R).
• Demonstrated collaborative research capabilities, including publication in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, and code development.

Desired Qualifications:

• Accomplishment and expertise in one or more technical areas of the group.
• Experience with statistical applications in the physical and engineering sciences.
• Experience working in high-performance computing environments.
• Ability to obtain a Q Clearance, which requires U.S. Citizenship.

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.

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.

No Clearance

Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

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.

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.

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.