Los Alamos National Laboratory

What You Will Do

We are hiring a team to pioneer trustworthy and reliable artificial intelligence (AI) methods that will revolutionize scientific discovery and national security. We need experienced AI researchers to define technical direction and mentor the next generation of scientists. At Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), the X Computational Physics Division's Artificial Intelligence for Nuclear Deterrence Group (XCP-AI4ND) develops, validates, and delivers machine learning systems that enhance the safety, reliability, and performance of the nation's nuclear deterrent. Specifically, the group builds AI tools for weapons physics to support the laboratory's mission of maintaining and modernizing the U.S. nuclear stockpile while exploring future deterrent options. These tools accelerate weapons design, engineering, and production and enhance the assessment and mitigation of global security threats. As a Senior AI Research Scientist in XCP-AI4ND, you will lead the development of advanced machine learning methods for scientific emulation, AI-driven discovery, data-efficient learning, and uncertainty-aware decision making. Your work will fuse physical insights with experimental data to strengthen global strategic stability.

We are looking for an experienced, passionate, and visionary AI researcher to define and lead interdisciplinary machine learning research projects. At LANL, we tackle scientific and national security challenges that go beyond standard AI applications, requiring innovative solutions to work with unique data modalities, multi-physics simulations, and sparse or noisy datasets. The ideal candidate will have deep expertise in AI/ML, with a proven ability to develop and execute innovative AI research programs that push the boundaries of scientific machine learning. At LANL, you will be part of a thriving interdisciplinary research environment, working alongside leading scientists and engineers to tackle some of the world's hardest science and security challenges.

You will lead joint projects with computational physicists and national security experts in the X Computational Physics (XCP) Division, leveraging some of the world's most advanced supercomputers and global expertise in multi-physics simulation. XCP staff span a wide range of computational physics modeling disciplines including numerical fluid and solid mechanics, materials science, radiation hydrodynamics, plasma physics, turbulence, magnetohydrodynamics, high explosives, nuclear physics and engineering, and neutral and charged particle transport. Other research efforts focus on optimizing physics algorithms for both homogeneous and heterogeneous high-performance computing platforms. Our scientists conduct applied physics and engineering research, implement models into production codes using strong software development practices, test and validate these methods, and assist users with adoption.

As a senior scientist, you will shape the XCP-AI4ND research agenda by identifying and solving high-impact problems. You will secure research funding, lead interdisciplinary projects, and serve as a thought leader for laboratory management and government stakeholders. Your responsibilities will also include mentoring junior researchers, engaging with the national security community, and establishing external scientific collaborations. The ideal candidate will have both a strong publication record and a strong track record of developing and deploying machine learning models for real-world applications. It is essential to have the ability to communicate complex technical results to diverse audiences, including senior government stakeholders.

We are seeking experienced senior scientists to join our teams located in Los Alamos, New Mexico and Ann Arbor, Michigan. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to choose their work location based on personal preference and project fit. Both locations offer unique opportunities for professional growth and impact. Please indicate your preferred work location in your cover letter when applying.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

Scientist 4 candidates must be recognized experts in one or more of the following areas. Please state your area(s) of expertise in your cover letter.

1. Scientific machine learning, including surrogate modeling and emulation
2. Reinforcement learning and decision-making under uncertainty
3. Few-shot learning, meta-learning, and transfer learning
4. Machine learning for complex 3D scientific imaging
5. Uncertainty quantification for machine learning models
6. Explainable machine learning
7. Formal verification and robustness testing for AI systems

In addition, candidates must meet the following requirements:

• AI Model Development & Deployment: Proven track record leading efforts to develop and deploy AI models for real-world use cases using PyTorch, JAX, or similar deep learning frameworks. The ideal candidate will have experience employing industry-standard software development practices (e.g., agile software development, CI/CD, MLOps).
• AI Innovation for Science & Security Applications: Demonstrated ability to develop new AI models and methods that advance scientific discovery and national security applications. Especially relevant is experience integrating AI models with scientific simulations, experimental data, or complex computational workflows in areas such as physics-based modeling, engineering simulations, or large-scale data analysis.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Experience leading and executing complex AI research projects, including setting objectives, managing collaborations, and ensuring successful outcomes in interdisciplinary teams.
• Mentorship: Experience mentoring junior researchers and contributing to the development of AI capabilities within a research organization.
• Communication: Strong oral and written communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to present complex technical results through publications, conference presentations, or reports tailored to diverse audiences, including nontechnical research sponsors and stakeholders.

Education/Experience: Position requires a Master's degree in a STEM field from an accredited college or university and 12 years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation.

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong publication record in top-tier, peer-reviewed AI venues (e.g., NeurIPS, CVPR, ICML, ICLR, JMLR, or similar).
• Proven ability to collaborate on multidisciplinary projects in computational physics, engineering, or related scientific domains aligned with the XCP Division's mission.
• Experience with multi-physics simulations in nuclear weapons physics and engineering including design and manufacturing.
• Contributions to the AI research community through open-source software; invited talks; or leadership of conferences, workshops, and tutorials.
• Expertise developing and running large-scale AI models in high-performance computing (HPC) environments or distributed machine learning frameworks.
• Leadership in large-scale AI research initiatives involving multiple institutions, government agencies, or industry partnerships.
• Demonstrated success securing funding for large interdisciplinary AI research programs.
• Influence on national AI research agendas through service on advisory boards, government panels, or AI policy initiatives.
• Active Q or TS/SCI security clearance.

Note to Applicants:

• Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of 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.
• Please include a detailed cover letter with your application explaining how you meet each of the Minimum Job Requirements and any of the Desired Qualifications. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
• This position requires onsite or hybrid work in one of two locations: Los Alamos, New Mexico or Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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 applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947 opt. 3.

Apply