Laboratory Space Scientist (Scientist 3)

Los Alamos National Security LLC; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PPO or HD medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

Parental leave

401(k) with 6% match + 3.5%

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules and PTO

Onsite gyms

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, NM, seeks an experienced space scientist to provide leadership in laboratory-based research, oversee experimental design and calibration plans, and serve as a subject matter expert within a diverse R&D organization.

ISR-1 conducts cutting-edge work in space-based national security and space environment science, with a focus on instrument development, data analysis, and collaboration across LANL disciplines.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a STEM field and 6 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated research contributions and proposal development.
• Ability to lead technical teams and influence across organizational boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Oversee activities within multiple space science research laboratories.
• Perform space instrument design, development, calibration, and data analysis.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for ion beam, plasma, and charged particle source operations, characterization, and maintenance.
• Assist in flight instrument operations planning and execution.
• Perform flight data validation and anomaly diagnosis.
• Mentor students, postdocs, and junior staff.

Skills

Space science expertise

Lab leadership

Instrument calibration

Data analysis

Proposal development

Mentoring

Education

Master's degree in STEM

PhD preferred

Job description

What You Will Do

The Space Science and Applications Group (ISR-1) in the Intelligence & Space Research Division (ISR) is seeking an experienced space scientist to provide leadership in laboratory-based research, overseeing experimental design and execution, developing and executing space instrument calibration plans, and serving a key subject matter expert within a technically diverse and highly collaborative R&D organization.

ISR-1 conducts cutting-edge work in space-based national security and space environment science, with expertise spanning source phenomenology, propagation, heliospheric and magnetospheric physics, and advanced sensor and algorithm development in particle and plasma detection. The group consists of approximately 30 staff scientists and postdoctoral researchers, along with a cohort of students and affiliates collaborating across multiple LANL organizations.

• Oversee activities within multiple space science research laboratories
• Perform space instrument design, development, calibration, and data analysis
• Serve as a subject matter expert for ion beam, plasma, and charged particle source operations, characterization, and maintenance
• Assist in flight instrument operations planning and execution
• Perform flight data validation and anomaly diagnosis
• Mentor students, postdocs, and junior staff

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements

Safety and Professional Standards

Demonstrated commitment to maintaining and strengthening a safe, secure, and respectful work environment consistent with Laboratory expectations (e.g., HPI and/or SCoR principles).

Technical Expertise

Recognized scientific and technical competence in one or more ISR-1 mission areas, including space science, heliospheric or magnetospheric physics, and/or particle and plasma detection. Demonstrated record of successful research contributions and proposal development.

Leadership and Influence

Demonstrated experience leading or contributing to technical teams, projects, or organizational efforts. Ability to influence across organizational boundaries, navigate competing priorities, and build trust.

Communication

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex technical and institutional considerations to diverse audiences.

Education/Experience

Position requires a Master’s degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 6 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications

• Current DOE Q clearance
• PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline
• Working knowledge of DOE, NNSA, DoD, NASA, or related mission agencies
• Demonstrated experience mentoring students, postdocs, or coaching early career researchers

Physical Requirements

• Physical movement between buildings located primarily within a half-mile radius, which may include movement across uneven and/or inclined ground.
• Physical movement within large interior facility spaces and corridors, which may require travel up and down stairs.
• Direct interaction with hardware, equipment, and instruments in office and laboratory environments.

Work Environment

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.

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.

Regular position

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

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.