Laser Physicist Postdoctoral Researcher

We are seeking a Laser Physicist- Postdoctoral Researcher within our Laser Science and Systems Engineering Program to participate in the research development and application of advanced solid state high energy laser technology. This work will take place within the National Ignition Facility & Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate home to the worlds most energetic laser. It is an exciting time to join the team that achieved fusion ignition in December 2022 a historic moment in science opening up new physics regimes and setting the stage for new fusion energy possibilities.

You will conduct research in the fields of design modeling and commissioning of cutting-edge laser technology development and will execute experiments to validate advanced laser concepts relevant to high energy and high power laser driver architectures laser propagation/amplification and laser matter interaction research. This position is in the Laser Science & Systems Engineering (LSSE) Program within the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) Principal Associate Directorate (PAD).

In this role you will

• Conduct research and development in one or more of the following areas: modeling and experimental investigations on advanced kJ-class laser architectures frequency conversion and non-linear optics and efficient cooling concepts for high average power laser systems.
• Organize analyze and interpret experimental and simulation data using statistical and computational tools and presenting findings clearly through detailed reports visualizations and presentations to support scientific communication and decision-making.
• Pursue independent (but complementary) research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of researchers 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.

Qualifications :

• PhD in laser physics applied physics general physics atomic physics optics and optoelectronics or related technical field or discipline.
• Experience in designing building and/or operating mid-to-high-energy (from mJ to kJ-class) solid-state lasers.
• Experience in experimental physics in one or more of the following areas: advanced polarization physics solid state lasers laser cavities short pulse laser technology frequency conversion non-linear optics crystal optics thermo-mechanical fine-element calculations interfaced with optical performance.
• Experience with MATLAB Python and/or similar scripting and data analysis tools.
• Ability to perform as an innovative researcher or experimentalist with a broad range of experience in experimental design techniques and execution.
• Experience developing independent research projects including publication of peer-reviewed literature.
• Proficient written and verbal communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information within a collaborative multidisciplinary team environment.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with laser pulsed power sources high density plasma interactions and/or conducting high energy density experiments.
• Experience with optoelectronic device simulation (LaserMOD LASTIP PICS3D Silvaco and/or self-written code) and/or optical system design and analysis using sequential and/or non-sequential raytracing tools (Zemax Code V OSLO FRED LightTools or ASAP).
• Experience with electromagnetic field simulation using finite-difference time domain finite element finite element thermal simulation (e.g. COMSOL ANSYS and/or self-written code) and/or beam propagation simulation tools (FIMMWave BeamPROP etc. and/or self-written code).
• Experience with CAD-based mechanical design (e.g. AutoCAD SolidWorks SolidEdge etc.) and test equipment control and automation software development (LabVIEW Python MATLAB etc.).

Pay Range

$123048 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; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  An employees 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.

Additional Information :

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

• Included in 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
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  Remote Work :

  No

  
  

  Employment Type :

  Full-time