Post-Master's Graduate Research Associate

What You Will Do

The Scattering Team within Materials Science & Technology (MST-8) is seeking a highly motivated experimentally inclined post‑master's student with strong background in robotics, metrology or computer science to develop an advanced positioning system employing a 6+ degree‑of‑freedom robotic arm for positioning and a laser tracker for position and orientation verification of complex shaped components. The successful candidate will be working in a highly interdisciplinary team with diverse backgrounds, and will be self‑motivated, team‑oriented, and communicative.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

• Strong background in metrology, robotics, computer science and/or related fields. Hands‑on experience with operation of computer‑controlled positioning and/or metrology systems.

Education & Experience:

• Master's degree in robotics, metrology, computer science, or related discipline completed within the last 2 years.

Desired

Qualifications:

• Experience with 6D (X, Y, Z, RotX, RotY, RotZ) robotic arms.
• Experience with measurement of size, shape, location and orientation of complex shaped components.
• Experience with development of user‑friendly software to operate robotics and/or metrology equipment.

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

• 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).

Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements
* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Depending on the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens.

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 .