Company Description

Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$6,410 - $7,780 Monthly

This position is under a step structure.  Please note that the step placement is determined by your most recent completed academic year.

Job Description

We have an opening for a PhD graduate student for a 6-month, in-person research position focused on the science objectives of the Pandora Small Satellite mission. Pandora will collect visible and near-infrared observations of nearby exoplanets, studying both their atmospheres and the variability of their host stars through long-term observations. The Pandora mission is funded by NASA's Pioneers program and is a collaboration between NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), NASA Ames Research Center, and various research and academic institutions.

This opportunity comes with a significant time allocation on LLNL’s world-leading high-performance computing platforms so is particularly well suited for a student with interests in compute-intensive modelling and simulation projects. There will be also opportunities to directly interface with the Pandora engineering team based at LLNL and the potential to work on science projects related to instrumentation.

The student will work under the supervision of an LLNL scientist within the Pandora collaboration. The specific project topic is flexible and can be designed to align with the student’s research interests and PhD thesis project. This position is in the Astronomy & Astrophysics Analytics Group within the Physics Division.

Applications are due by COB December 1, 2024. The start date for this opportunity is flexible but can be no later than March 31, 2025.

Depending on your assignment, this position may offer a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You may have the flexibility to work from home one or more days per week. 

You will

Collaborate with LLNL scientists and engineers on research and development related to the Pandora Small Satellite.Attend weekly seminars, including the Space Science Institute seminar seriesLearn techniques related to high performance computing systems and cutting-edge statistical inference and modeling methods.Conduct independent research with limited supervision.Analyze research results and provide weekly updates to the Pandora collaboration.Present findings through presentations and poster sessions.Perform additional duties as assigned. Qualifications Must be a current graduate student in good standing at an accredited institution.Academic achievement in astrophysics, demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications.Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex concepts effectively.Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.

Qualifications We Desire

Experience with high-performance computing systemsFamiliarity with the science goals and requirements of the Pandora missionExperience with Gaussian process models and Bayesian inference librariesExperience with exoplanet atmospheric retrieval codesExperience with automatic differentiation programming frameworks such as JAX Additional Information

#LI-Hybrid

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!Holiday PaySick leave accrualIndividual 401(k) contributionsInclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversityOur core beliefs - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values Employee engagement - visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

Security Clearance

None required.  However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process.  This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.  (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.) 

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 use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate 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.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.

We invite you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision.

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. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.

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