Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!

Are you interested in joining some of the brightest talent in the world to strengthen the United States’ security? Come join Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) where our employees apply their expertise to create solutions for BIG ideas that make our world a better place.

We are committed to a diverse and equitable workforce with an inclusive culture that values and celebrates the diversity of our people, talents, ideas, experiences, and perspectives. This is essential to innovation and creativity for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

We have an opening for a post-doctoral research fellow at the Center for Global Security Research (CGSR). CGSR was established at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in 1996 to serve as a bridge between the science, technology, and national security policy communities. Given LLNL’s mission to support nuclear deterrence, CGSR addresses topics related to nuclear matters, including both deterrence and arms control.  The center also takes a broader view of the changing security environment, however, with work on emerging and potentially disruptive technologies (like cyber, hypersonic, and counter-space) as well as global challenges such as climate change, biosecurity, and non-proliferation.  This CGSR fellowship would support one of the five main research thrust areas at the center - major power rivalry and conflict, new regional challengers and challenges, toward deterrence strategy 3.0, the future of long-term competitive strategies, and the future of cooperative strategies to reduce global dangers. Fuller descriptions of the CGSR thrust areas and examples of work by the center can be found at https://cgsr.llnl.gov/ . 

The center works to achieve these objectives by 1) convening seminars with outside speakers to better understand national policy priorities and national and international developments bearing on the lab’s missions, 2) providing analysis and expertise to laboratory leadership in support of strategic planning and to national leadership in policy development and implementation, and 3) advancing thinking about contemporary and emerging national security challenges related to strategic conflict through independent research, workshops, and publications. The Center’s work is conducted on an entirely unclassified basis. It is also multidisciplinary and entirely nonpartisan in character.

In this role you will

• Conduct research on politically significant national security topics in line with CGSR research thrust areas.  
• Document research; publish papers in peer-reviewed journals, and present results within the national laboratories, the U.S. Government, and the broader international security community.
• Respond effectively to the needs of CGSR and other LLNL managers with timely, high quality, finished analyses for presentation or publication.
• Pursue independent (but complementary) research interests and interact with a broad spectrum of scientists internally and externally.
• Collaborate with others in a multidisciplinary team environment to accomplish research goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• PhD in Political Science, International Relations, the physical or life sciences, engineering, regional or area studies, or a related field.
• Experience and expertise in one or more of the following areas: writing for policymakers, analysis of technical issues in international security, experience in U.S. foreign affairs in the executive or legislative branch, relevant experience in intelligence, academia, or the think tank community.
• Experience effectively conducting independent research.
• Ability to work effectively both individually and in a team environment to achieve results in a timely manner.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills to collaborate effectively in a team environment and present and explain technical information.
• Attention to detail, rigorous logic skills, and familiarization with advanced analytic tools and methodologies.
• Experience developing and presenting independent research projects, including publication of peer-reviewed literature.

Qualification We Desire

• Experience with working with technical staff in the physical sciences and engineering.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Position Information

This is a Postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of extension to a maximum of three years.  Eligible candidates are those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2022 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Work for a premier innovative national Laboratory
• Comprehensive Benefits Package
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Collaborative, creative, inclusive, and fun team environment

Learn more about our company, selection process, position types and security clearances by visiting our Career site . 

Security Clearance

None required.  However, if your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process.  This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.  (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.)  For additional information, please see DOE Order 472.2 (link is external) . 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position will be required to pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Equal Employment Opportunity

LLNL is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing candidates and employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. We value and hire a diverse workforce as it is a vital component of our culture and success. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

LLNL invites you to review the Equal Employment Opportunity posters which include EEO is the Law (link is external) and Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision (link is external) .

Reasonable Accommodation

At LLNL, our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please submit a request via our online form . 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here .