Physics and Chemistry of Materials Post-Bachelor Student

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental & vision insurance

Life insurance

Parental leave

401(k) matching

Tuition assistance

PTO & holidays

Onsite gym

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory's Physics and Chemistry of Materials Group (T-1) in the Theoretical Division seeks a post-bachelor student to contribute to research in computational biology and AI-enabled medical countermeasure development. The selected candidate will support modeling toxin-protein interactions by integrating sequence, structure, and experimental data to improve binding-site predictions.

Responsibilities include curating datasets, applying AI/ML and structure-prediction tools,

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree, or expected degree, in biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, computational biology, data science, computer science, physics, engineering, or related field.
• Knowledge of computational biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, or related areas.
• Understanding of protein structure, function, or molecular interactions.
• Experience with scientific programming, preferably Python.
• Familiarity with AI/ML workflows for biological applications.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary research team.

Responsibilities

• Curate, process, and analyze protein sequence and structural datasets.
• Apply AI/ML, protein language models, and structure-prediction methods to study molecular interactions.
• Develop reproducible end-to-end workflows that integrate sequence- and structure-based predictions.
• Evaluate model performance and compare predictions with structural and experimental evidence.
• Collaborate with computational and experimental researchers.
• Document methods and communicate results via reports and presentations.

Skills

Computational biology

Bioinformatics

Python programming

AI/ML workflows

Education

Bachelor's degree in biology/biochemistry/bioinformatics/computational biology/data science/CS/physics/engineering

Tools

Python

Git

Linux

HPC workflows

Job description

What You Will Do

The Physics and Chemistry of Materials Group (T-1) in Los Alamos National Laboratory's Theoretical Division is seeking a post-bachelor student to contribute to research in computational biology and AI-enabled medical countermeasure development.

The selected candidate will support the development and evaluation of computational approaches for modeling toxin-protein interactions. This work will integrate protein sequence, molecular structure, and experimental data to improve interaction and binding-site predictions.

Responsibilities may include:

• Curating, processing, and analyzing protein sequence and structural datasets.


• Applying AI/ML, protein language models, and structure-prediction methods to investigate molecular interactions and binding interfaces.


• Developing reproducible, end-to-end workflows that integrate sequence- and structure-based predictions.


• Evaluating model performance and comparing computational predictions with available structural and experimental evidence.


• Working collaboratively with computational and experimental researchers.


• Documenting methods and communicating results through technical reports and presentations.

T-1 conducts multidisciplinary theoretical and computational research spanning physics, chemistry, materials science, computational biology, and scientific machine learning in support of LANL's national security missions.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Knowledge of computational biology, biochemistry, bioinformatics, or a related area.


• Understanding of protein structure, function, or molecular interactions.


• Experience with scientific programming, preferably Python.


• Familiarity with AI/ML workflows for biological applications.


• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary research team.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Education/Experience

A bachelor's degree, or a degree expected to be awarded before the position begins, from an accredited program in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, bioinformatics, computational biology, data science, computer science, physics, engineering, or a related field.

Desired Qualifications

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with AlphaFold, ESM, or related protein-modeling tools.


• Experience with PyMOL, Chimera, or similar molecular-visualization software.


• Familiarity with protein-protein or protein-ligand interaction modeling.


• Experience with Git, Linux, high-performance computing, or automated scientific workflows.


• Laboratory experience in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, or a related area.


• Interest in connecting computational predictions with experimental validation.

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.

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 include:

• 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.

• 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.

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 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.