Jill Hruby Fellowship

What Your Job Will Be Like

Shape the Future of National Security

The Jill Hruby Postdoctoral Fellowship is your gateway to a career of impact, innovation, and leadership. Designed for exceptional PhD graduates, this prestigious program empowers fellows to conduct independent, cutting‑edge research that aligns with Sandia National Laboratories' mission to advance global peace and security. As a Hruby Fellow, you will benefit from unparalleled mentorship by world‑class scientists and engineers, access to state‑of‑the‑art facilities, and the opportunity to lead research initiatives that address critical national challenges.

Through tailored leadership development programs, interdisciplinary collaboration, and engagement with government stakeholders, you will gain the skills and experience needed to become a leader in your field. Joining the Hruby Fellowship means contributing to groundbreaking discoveries, building a network of influential peers and mentors, and positioning yourself to shape the future of science, technology, and national security.

The Jill Hruby Fellowship is a three‑year appointment that will begin on October 1, 2027.

In addition to research, Hruby Fellows will participate in a unique leadership development program that will prepare them for career advancement as recognized leaders in their field or institution. Fellows will:

• Participate as a member on internal research proposal selection committee
• Engage with government relations to understand how Sandia supports national decision making
• Participate in a leadership development program, including coaching and peer mentoring
• Opportunities for mentorship from senior technical leadership at the laboratory

• PhD completion between October 1, 2024 and October 1, 2027
• Evidence of strong academic achievement, excellent technical accomplishment, leadership and ability to team effectively
• Submission of the applicant information form, cover letter, and CV following the guidance described in the 2028 Hruby Application Guidelines located on the website.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance, which requires US citizenship

• Proven ability to advance the state-of-the-art in applicable sciences, applicable engineering, and/or related fields of study
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills
• Proven research community leadership through activities such as participation in student or professional organizations, outreach activities, etc.
• Related professional experience such as internships in industry or national labs, participation in visiting research programs, etc.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment alongside specialists in other domains

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre‑employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE L‑level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by the DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug‑releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs. If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on‑site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.