Postdoctoral Researcher in Nuclear and Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology

What You Will Do

The T-2 group (Nuclear and Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology) in the Theoretical Division at Los Alamos National Laboratory invites applications for two-year postdoctoral positions in Nuclear Theory to begin in Fall 2026. Candidates are expected to have a Ph.D. in nuclear theory or a closely related field by the beginning of the postdoctoral, obtained no earlier than five years before the relevant due date below (i.e., Oct or Dec 2019).

We conduct research on a broad set of topics, including effective theories of strong and weak interactions, heavy-ion physics and physics of the quark-gluon plasma, low-energy phenomenology within and beyond the Standard Model, neutrino physics and astrophysics, nuclear astrophysics, nuclear structure, perturbative QCD, and quantum few- and many-body systems, and quantum computing. Candidates in all these areas are strongly encouraged to apply.

Scientists in the group working in these areas include Joe Carlson, Stefano Gandolfi, Christopher Lee, Emanuele Mereghetti, Duff Neill, Ingo Tews, and Ivan Vitev. We collaborate actively with our colleagues in high-energy theory and applied nuclear theory in T-2 and have close ties with our colleagues in astrophysics, cosmology, condensed matter/quantum information and experimental physics.

LANL offers Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships (Curie, Feynman, Hoffman, Oppenheimer) and Director's funded postdoc positions through a lab-wide competitive selection process. Exceptionally well qualified candidates that wish to be considered for these Postdoctoral Fellowships must have all application materials submitted by Monday, September 1, 2025.

Applications for regular group postdoc positions should be submitted by Friday, December 7, 2025, for full consideration.

• Record of peer-reviewed publications in above or related research areas.
• Experience in a scientific research collaboration.
• Experience giving scientific talks in professional environments.

Education/

Experience:

Ph.D. in theoretical nuclear/particle physics or closely related field obtained before the start of the postdoctoral appointment.

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Starting salary for a new graduate is currently $97,000.00 and increases with years of experience post Ph.D. For more information on salary and benefits, please visit LANL's Postdoctoral Research page: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

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.

• 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)

Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.

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.

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 or call  opt. 3.