Group Leader, Materials & Physical Data (R&D)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation package

Comprehensive benefits

Tuition assistance

Onsite gym

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory is seeking an outstanding scientific leader to serve as the Group Leader for the Materials & Physical Data Group (XCP-5). The role drives scientific direction, oversees a ~$20M budget, and mentors ~25 staff scientists across multiple domains.

The leader will coordinate with theoretical, software, and weapons design teams, shaping strategy and execution to support nuclear weapon design, validation, and global security missions.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in physics areas relevant to XCP-5 with a record of publications or software.
• Experience recruiting, building technical capabilities, staff development, and mentoring.
• Leadership experience with integrity, decisiveness, and organizational impact.
• Ability to present complex technical work to varied audiences and foster collaboration.
• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years related experience or equivalent combination.

Responsibilities

• Define and guide the scientific direction of the XCP-5 group and maintain an active research program.
• Manage a large research portfolio across multiple technical areas and sponsors.
• Collaborate with division leadership on strategy, planning, and execution.
• Partner with theoretical, software, and weapons design teams to advance group goals.

Skills

Technical leadership

Staff development

Strategic planning

Communication

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree + 8 years experience

Job description

What You Will Do

We are seeking an outstanding scientific leader to serve as the Group Leader for the Materials & Physical Data Group (XCP-5). XCP-5 is an interdisciplinary group which develops, implements, and validates constitutive models (material strength, damage and failure, etc.), equations of state (EOS), and physical data libraries including opacities and nuclear cross-sections for use in large-scale simulation codes. Additionally, some group members collaborate in the design and analysis of small-scale and integral validation experiments for material models and physical data. XCP-5 offers an exciting, flexible, scientifically challenging work environment with many opportunities to collaborate with the broader LANL scientific community.

What You Will Do

We are seeking an outstanding scientific leader to serve as the Group Leader for the Materials & Physical Data Group (XCP-5). XCP-5 is an interdisciplinary group which develops, implements, and validates constitutive models (material strength, damage and failure, etc.), equations of state (EOS), and physical data libraries including opacities and nuclear cross-sections for use in large-scale simulation codes. Additionally, some group members collaborate in the design and analysis of small-scale and integral validation experiments for material models and physical data. XCP-5 offers an exciting, flexible, scientifically challenging work environment with many opportunities to collaborate with the broader LANL scientific community.

As Group Leader, you would be responsible for the scientific direction of the group, delivering high-quality science, while maintaining an active research program that aligns with the group's mission. You will manage a large research portfolio across multiple technical areas and multiple programmatic sponsors. Your teams will work in close partnership with teams from across the Laboratory, including theoretical research, software development, and weapons design teams. Additionally, the XCP-5 Group Leader will collaborate with the XCP division leadership team in the areas of strategy planning, organizational direction, and execution. The research and analysis work of XCP-5 supports a variety of Laboratory missions, including nuclear weapon design, certification, and assessment, experimental modeling and analysis, and global security. Currently, XCP-5 maintains a budget of ~$20M and consists of ~25 staff scientists, ~10 postdoctoral research associates, and a vibrant student and guest scientist population.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Technical Expertise

Demonstrated expertise and record of accomplishment in one or more physics areas relevant to XCP-5, supported by publications, presentations, software, or other evidence of completed work.

Talent Acquisition and Growth

Experience in recruiting, building technical capabilities, staff development, and facilitating the technical work of scientific researchers at all levels. Direct experience successfully mentoring is required.

Leadership

Demonstrated ability to lead with integrity and decisiveness towards organizational and institutional goals. Experience in strategic program development, leadership, and execution, preferentially within a multidisciplinary scientific or technical team or project setting.

Communication and Collaboration

Demonstrated ability to effectively present technical work and concepts to others, including nontechnical audiences. Strong collaborative and relationship-building skills that promote the careers of staff, postdoctoral researchers, and students while creating a positive work environment.

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:

Vision for XCP-5

A vision for organizational evolution and program development that supports and enhances all capabilities and sub-teams within the group.

LANL Weapons Physics Knowledge

Knowledge of LANL line management/program management interactions and roles & responsibilities, plus knowledge of the activities, needs, and workflow of the nuclear weapons physics applications community.

International Research Portfolio

Citations, honors, and/or participation in national/international committees in one or more physics areas relevant to XCP-5.

Multi-Physics Codes Knowledge

Demonstrated knowledge of multi-physics codes, including their strengths, weaknesses, and long-term physics capability needs.

A Ph.D. in science or engineering in a specialization relevant to XCP-5 is strongly preferred.

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 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.