Plasma Physics Undergraduate Students

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory’s Theoretical Division (T-Division) invites undergraduate students to join our Applied Mathematics and Plasma Physics group (T-5) for a summer research internship in Los Alamos, NM.

Selected students will be paired with a mentoring team and participate in cutting-edge projects across fusion, plasma, and computational science, typically for 10–12 weeks with strong guidance and collaboration.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in an Associates or Bachelor's degree in physics, applied mathematics, engineering, or closely related field.
• Minimum GPA: 3.0/4.0; 2.75/4.0 when applicable.
• Ability to work within a collaborative team environment.
• Desire to learn new things and be open to working on different projects.

Responsibilities

• Join research teams within T-Division (Theoretical Division) and contribute to ongoing projects.
• Participate in a 10–12 week summer internship with mentoring from scientific staff.

Skills

Collaborative teamwork

Willingness to learn

Education

Undergraduate enrollment in physics, applied mathematics or engineering

Job description

What You Will Do

We are looking for candidates to join our team in Los Alamos National Laboratory's Theoretical Division (T-Division). T-Division provides a unique and engaging environment that fosters multidisciplinary collaborations to support the laboratory's strategic basic research and national security missions. The Applied Mathematics and Plasma Physics (T-5) group within T-Division conducts research across a wide variety of topics, including fusion science, space plasma science, numerical analysis, computational imaging, optimization, environmental sciences, and the modeling of critical infrastructure (e.g., gas pipelines and electrical grids). These application areas are unified by research in novel algorithms, numerical methods, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

The Applied Mathematics and Plasma Physics group is seeking qualified candidates to hire as undergraduate students to work within our research teams. This is an educational opportunity for the selected candidates to contribute to cutting‑edge scientific research and to learn new skills and areas. This position is open to students who will be actively enrolled in an undergraduate program throughout the appointment. Summer positions are also open to graduating undergraduates who have been accepted into graduate programs in the Spring of 2026 under a separate posting. Selected students must have and maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0 in their undergraduate coursework. Most students participate for a 10‑12 week period over the summer. Selected candidates will be paired with a mentoring team and will work closely with one of the scientific teams within T‑5.

What You Need

• Enrollment in an Associates or Bachelor's Degree in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, or closely related field
• A minimum 2.75 out of 4.0 cumulative GPA on undergraduate course work
• Ability to work within a collaborative team environment
• Desire to learn new things and openness to work on different projects

Education/Experience: Current enrollment undergraduate degree in applied mathematics, engineering, physics, or a related field

Desired Qualifications

• Ability to independently learn the usage of scientific software packages and how to perform analytical calculations
• Experience in one or more of the following topical areas:
• Integrated plasma simulation
• Theoretical modeling applied to magnetic fusion
• Inertial confinement fusion
• Astrophysical and space plasmas
• Dense, strongly coupled and quantum plasma
• Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning

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.

Work Location

Contact [e-mail] or Melanie Vigil ([e-mail]) for more details about this position. Salaries range from $22.57/hr to $30.53/hr depending on education completed. Full salary information can be found at: https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/student-internships/_assets/docs/Student%20Salary%20Structure%202023.pdf

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 maternity and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, 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 opt. 3.