Plasma Physics Undergraduate Students

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

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Enrollment in an Associates or Bachelors 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:

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.

Note to Applicants:

• For full consideration the package must include:
• CV with contact for 2 references
• One-page cover letter that highlights your qualifications and research interests. In the letter, clearly identify 1 to 3 areas of interest by number from the topical areas listed above
• Applicant reviews will begin on January 6th, 2026. For full consideration for spring and summer 2026 positions please apply by January 30th, 2026.
• Contact t5jobs or Melanie Vigil (mlvigil) 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 the following URL: https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).%20
  
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Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the Peoples Republic of China—not including Hong Kong and Macau—as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents, 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…