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 Postdoctoral Researcher to perform research on induced seismicity related to subsurface injection. This posting is within LLNL’s Seismology Group with close integration with LNNL’s Computational Geosciences Group. You will be expected to apply your expertise to ongoing geothermal energy, geologic carbon storage, waste fluid disposal, or unconventional oil and gas projects. This position requires a background in seismology, a working knowledge of computer programming, and experience in geomechanics or reservoir engineering. The successful applicant will have access to LLNL's extensive computer facilities and field data. Will interact with professional colleagues, mid-level management and sponsors across and outside of the Laboratory. 

In this role you will 

• Conduct original research in seismology related to induced seismicity and reservoir geomechanics.
• Organize, analyze, and interpret large geophysical sets from ongoing laboratory/field operations, and physics-based simulations
• Employ physical, statistical or machine learning-based methods for analyzing, interpreting, and forecasting microseismic data, probabilistic techniques for induced seismicity hazard assessment.
• Develop uncertainty quantification or other techniques for correlating observed seismicity with fluid injection rates and volumes.
• Collect, aggregate, and analyze real-time data streams, reservoir poromechanics and earthquake simulation results, develop software or other approaches to improve detection of hazardous faults in the subsurface.
• Publish both programmatic reports and peer-reviewed publications summarizing research findings. Present results at program meetings and research conferences.
• Work as part of a scientific team, interacting with seismologists, geologists, reservoir engineers, statisticians, physicists, and computer scientists to design and implement high-impact research.
• Perform other duties as required

• PhD in Seismology, Geomechanics, Earth Science, Data Science related to Geophysics, or related field.
• Experience with high performance computing, numerical earthquake simulation (e.g. dynamic rupture, cycle simulation), statistical and/or physics-based operational earthquake forecasting, seismic hazard analysis, statistical seismology, probabilistic risk assessment methods, or uncertainty quantification techniques
• Ability to formulate novel solutions related to understanding of the geomechanical behavior of subsurface reservoirs and the underlying physical processes leading to induced seismicity, and/or other seismology or geomechanical problems.
• Experience with computer systems and modern programming languages (e.g. python, C/C++, R, Java, shell scripting), Mac or PC, Unix or Linux platforms or other data management approaches
• Demonstrated fundamental written and verbal communication skills. Experience writing and presenting reports, publications, and proposals, ability to interact effectively with a team of interdisciplinary scientists.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience with earthquake physics, nucleation, and triggering, modeling geomechanical behavior, application of machine learning methods to earth science problems
• Experience with geophysical monitoring or analysis of microseismic data and other field.
• Experience modeling fluid flow in the subsurface, geomechanical behavior of faults, or seismic wave propagation.
• Experience with numerical methods, particularly finite difference, finite volume, or finite element techniques as applied to forward and inverse modeling of subsurface problems. 

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 .