Post Doctoral Research Fellow

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 important for continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$108,120 Annually

Job Description

We have an opening for a postdoctoral 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 deterrence, arms control, and nonproliferation. The Center also takes a broader view of the changing security environment, and engages in work on emerging and potentially disruptive technologies (like cyber, hypersonic, and counter-space) as well as global challenges such as climate change, energy security, and biosecurity. The 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,
• Future of Long-Term Competitive Strategies, and
• Future of Cooperative Strategies to Reduce Global Dangers.

Complete descriptions of the CGSR thrust areas and examples of the Center’s work 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.

This job will be closed to applicants on January 31, 2024

In this role you will 

• Conduct research on politically significant national security topics in line with CGSR research thrust areas.  
• Publish papers via CGSR’s in-house publication options and/or external outlets such as peer-reviewed journals.
• Communicate and present research findings to different audiences, including the laboratory, U.S. policymakers, officials in allied countries, or at workshops and conferences.
• Lead or contribute to the organization of CGSR workshops.
• 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 researching, analyzing, and writing on one or more of the following subjects: nuclear deterrence, arms control, nonproliferation, emerging technologies, cybersecurity, biological & chemical security, energy security, and climate security.
• 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, publishing papers (including publication of peer-reviewed literature), and presenting research findings via briefings, lectures, or general presentations.
• 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.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience working with technical staff in the physical sciences and engineering.
• Experience writing for U.S. policymakers in the government, think tank, or academic setting.

Additional Information

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.

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.

Application instructions

Please be sure to indicate you saw this position on tendersglobal.net