Postdoctoral Researcher in Nuclear and Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology

Los Alamos National Laboratory invites applications for two-year postdoctoral positions in Nuclear Theory within the T-2 group (Nuclear and Particle Physics, Astrophysics and Cosmology) of the Theoretical Division, beginning in Fall 2026.

About the role

The T-2 group conducts 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
• Quantum few- and many-body systems
• Quantum computing

Scientists in the group working in these areas include Joe Carlson, Stefano Gandolfi, Christopher Lee, Emanuele Mereghetti, Duff Neill, Ingo Tews, and Ivan Vitev. The group collaborates actively with colleagues in high-energy theory, applied nuclear theory, 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 wishing to be considered for these fellowships must submit all application materials by Monday, September 1, 2025. Applications for regular group postdoc positions should be submitted by Friday, December 7, 2025, for full consideration.

Requirements

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

Qualifications

• PhD in theoretical nuclear/particle physics or a closely related field, obtained no earlier than October or December 2019 and before the start of the postdoc appointment

Work Location

The position is onsite in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Pay

Starting salary for a new graduate is currently $97,000.00 and increases with years of experience post PhD.

Benefits

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with a 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)

Additional Information

Due to federal restrictions, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission of national security laboratories, including Los Alamos National Laboratory.

A complete application package consists of a CV, research statement, list of publications, and three letters of recommendation. For more information, contact Ingo Tews: itews@lanl.gov.

Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks. Although marijuana use is legal in some states, it remains illegal under federal law, and a positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment.