Laser Postdoctoral Researcher - Advanced Photon Technologies

LLNL • Livermore, CA

12d • Onsite

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is seeking a Laser Postdoctoral Researcher in Advanced Photon Technologies (APT) to join the Extreme Light, Matter, and Fusion (LMF) Directorate. This role involves research and development in advanced solid-state laser technology, including ultra-fast, high peak power, high average power, and high energy/intensity short pulse lasers. The APT group specializes in developing high repetition rate laser systems, such as the High-repetition-rate Advanced Petawatt Laser System, and diode-pumped solid-state lasers for EUV generation and Inertial Fusion Energy. This position is within the High Energy Density & Photon Science (HED & PS) organization.

Requirements

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• PhD degree in laser physics, applied physics, general physics, atomic physics, optics and optoelectronics, or related technical field or discipline.
• Experience designing, building, and/or operating high-energy (> mJ) solid-state lasers.
• Experience with one or more of the following areas: short pulse laser technology, frequency conversion, non-linear optics, fiber lasers, ultrafast lasers, short pulse laser diagnostics, and/or plasma physics.
• Ability to perform as an innovative experimentalist with a broad range of experience in experimental design, techniques, and execution.
• Experience developing and proposing independent research projects, including publication of peer-reviewed literature.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
• Effective initiative and interpersonal skills and ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.
• Must have received their Ph.D. (or equivalent doctorate) within five years of the anticipated start date.

Nice To Haves

• Experience designing, building, and/or operating J-class solid-state lasers.
• 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.).

Responsibilities

• Conduct research and development in long and short pulse laser experiments, including characterization of performance, and designing, building, testing, fielding, and commissioning laser systems, components, and laser and optical diagnostics.
• Design, implement, and analyze techniques in long and short pulse laser experiments, including characterization of performance and laser and optical diagnostics.
• Organize, analyze, and interpret experimental and simulation data using statistical and computational tools.
• Present findings clearly through detailed reports, visualizations, and presentations to support scientific communication and decision-making.
• Contribute to and actively participate in the conception, design, and execution of research to address defined problems.
• Conduct independent (complementary) research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists 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.

Benefits

• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (depending on project needs)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree