Physics-Informed Machine Learning - Postdoctoral Researcher

LLNL; Livermore (CA); Hybrid; USD 111,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) seeks a Physics-Informed Machine Learning Postdoctoral Researcher to advance ML methods for modeling complex physical systems. The role blends machine learning with computational mechanics, aiming for robust, efficient simulations within a national-security research context.

You will contribute to physics-informed models, surrogate methods, and data-driven approaches while collaborating across a multidisciplinary team in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• PhD in computational mechanics, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, computational science, physics, materials science, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Develop physics-informed machine-learning methods for computational mechanics and scientific simulation.
• Integrate governing equations, conservation laws, boundary conditions, and material constraints into machine-learning models.
• Develop, train, validate, and evaluate neural networks, surrogate models, reduced-order models, and other scientific machine-learning methods.
• Analyze computational and experimental data to identify physical relationships, model parameters, and constitutive behavior.
• Perform computational mechanics simulations using finite-element, finite-volume, or related numerical methods.
• Collaborate with others in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed journals and present results at conferences.

Skills

Physics-informed ML

Scientific ML

Data-driven modeling

Python

PyTorch

JAX

TensorFlow

Education

PhD in related field

Tools

Python

PyTorch

JAX

TensorFlow

Job description

Physics-Informed Machine Learning - Postdoctoral Researcher

• Full-time
• Organization: Physical and Life Sciences
• Category: Physical Life Sciences
• Employee Referral Bonus: Not applicable
• Job Code 1: PDS.1 Post-Dr Research Staff 1
• Pre-Employment Drug Test: Required for external applicant(s) selected for this position (includes testing for use of marijuana)
• Pre-Placement Medical Exam: Not applicable
• Position Type: Post Doctoral
• Security Clearance: Anticipated DOE Q clearance (requires U.S. citizenship and a federal background investigation)

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.

We have an opening for a Physics-Informed Machine Learning Postdoctoral Researcher to develop and apply advanced computational methods for modeling complex physical systems.

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.

You will combine expertise in machine learning, computational mechanics, and numerical methods to develop physics-informed models that improve the accuracy, robustness, and computational efficiency of scientific simulations. Research may include developing machine-learning models constrained by physical laws, learning constitutive relationships from experimental or simulation data, developing surrogate and reduced-order models, and integrating data-driven approaches into computational mechanics workflows. This position is in the Atmospheric, Earth and Energy Division within the Physical and Life Sciences Directorate.

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week.

You will

• Develop physics-informed machine-learning methods for computational mechanics and scientific simulation.
• Integrate governing equations, conservation laws, boundary conditions, and material constraints into machine-learning models.
• Develop, train, validate, and evaluate neural networks, surrogate models, reduced-order models, and other scientific machine-learning methods.
• Analyze computational and experimental data to identify physical relationships, model parameters, and constitutive behavior.
• Perform computational mechanics simulations using finite-element, finite-volume, or related numerical methods.
• Pursue independent (but complementary) research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally to the Laboratory.
• Collaborate with others in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals and present results at external conferences seminars and/or technical meetings.
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship.
• PhD in computational mechanics, mechanical engineering, applied mathematics, computational science, physics, materials science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience with physics-informed machine learning, scientific machine learning, or related data-driven modeling approaches.
• Knowledge of computational solid and/or fluid mechanics, numerical methods, and contact mechanics for Lagrangian finite element methods.
• Experience with computational simulations and analysis of scientific or engineering data. Experience with high-performance computing environments.
• Ability to develop independent research projects, including publication of peer-reviewed literature, and to communicate technical information effectively.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with physics-informed neural networks, neural operators, differentiable programming, or hybrid physics-based and data-driven models.
• Experience with deep learning, transfer learning, generative models, surrogate modeling, or reduced-order modeling.
• Experience with finite-element methods, computational fluid dynamics, solid mechanics, multiphysics simulation, or related computational frameworks.
• Experience with Python and machine-learning frameworks such as PyTorch, JAX or TensorFlow.

Pay Range
$123,048 Annually
This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

This is a 2-year Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years. The postdoctoral appointment is a temporary, mentored training position intended for individuals in the early stages of their postdoctoral research careers. Consistent with the structure of the program, applicants must have received their Ph.D. (or equivalent doctorate) within five years of the anticipated start date.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years. The postdoctoral appointment is a temporary, mentored training position intended for individuals in the early stages of their postdoctoral research careers. Consistent with the structure of the program, applicants must have received their Ph.D. (or equivalent doctorate) within five years of the anticipated start date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2026Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance. If you are selected, wewill initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if youmeet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship.

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the useand/or possession ofmobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area whereyou are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile devicein your possession. This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.

Ifyou useamedical device, whichpairs with a mobile deviceyou must still follow the rules concerningthe mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas. Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities requireseparate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory. If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request.

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