LLNL
Design Physics Division - Postdoctoral Researcher: Planetary Defense
At a Glance
- Location
- Livermore, California, United States
- Work Regime
- hybrid
- Employment
- Full-time
- Posted
- 2026-08-12T00:34:39.525Z
Key Requirements
Required Skills
Domain Knowledge
- Engineering
Benefits & Perks
Glassdoor! Flexible Benefits Package 401(k) Relocation Assistance Education
Requirements
Demonstrated significant accomplishments in experimental science, numerical simulations and modeling, and/or the application of theoretical techniques.
Experience developing innovative solutions to scientific and technical problems.
Experience with Python and HPC systems.
Compensation & Benefits
#LI-Hybrid
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 2026 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
Flexible
Responsibilities
Planetary Defense Group
The Planetary Defense Group at LLNL uses high-fidelity hydrocode simulations to address challenging problems related to the mitigation of hazardous asteroids and the consequences of asteroid impacts on Earth.
We operate within a larger planetary defense community with collaborations (both domestic and international) spanning the national laboratory complex, other government agencies, and academic institutions.
We primarily focus on dynamic, high-strain-rate events.
Past projects have involved simulating the NASA DART impact on Dimorphos to better understand how impact ejecta affects deflection, constructing a simplified model for the deflection of an asteroid with a nuclear explosive device, developing new hydrocode methods to better model asteroid airbursts, and validating our codes against relevant experiments. This position is in the Design Physics Division within the Strategic Deterrence (SD) Directorate.
Build detailed multiphysics models using LLNL-based codes and simulation tools.
About the Company
Join us and make YOUR mark on the World!
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) has turned bold ideas into world-changing impact advancing science and technology to strengthen U.S. security and promote global stability.
Our mission spans four critical national security areas nuclear deterrence, threat preparedness, energy security, and multi-domain defense empowering teams to take on the toughest challenges of today and tomorrow. With a culture built on innovation and operational excellence, LLNL is a place where your expertise can make a real impact.