Center for Global Security Research – Postdoctoral Researcher

Position description

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.

Pay Range

$112,980- $117,312 Annually

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting starting pay including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

Job Description

Job Description

We have an opening for a postdoctoral researcher 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.

Qualifications

• PhD in Political Science, International Relations, the physical or life sciences, engineering, regional or area studies, or a related field.
• Experience and expertise in  researching quantum computing and emerging technologies.
• 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.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience working with technical staff in the physical sciences and engineering.
• Previous post doctoral fellow experience.

Additional Information

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

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, open to those who have been awarded a PhD at time of hire date.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2024 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) – visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity
• Our core beliefs – visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/our-values 
• Employee engagement – visit https://www.llnl.gov/diversity/employee-engagement

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.) 

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must 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.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

Application instructions

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