Group Leader - Plasma Science for Pulsed Power Fusion and National Security

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 dedicated to fostering a culture that values individuals, talents, partnerships, ideas, experiences, and different perspectives, recognizing their importance to the continued success of the Laboratory’s mission.

Pay Range

$202,500 - $256,824 Annually 

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting.  An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs.

We have an opening for a Group Leader (GL) position to provide technical and administrative leadership for a group of Physical Life Science (PLS) scientists in the Plasma Science for Pulsed Power Fusion and National Security group. In this role you will be broadly providing guidance and oversight for applications and research in plasma science that are related to national security topics including sensing detection and source development. You will have management responsibility for coordinating with internal stakeholders to define and implement the intellectual, programmatic, and supervisory functions necessary to ensure the successful execution of the group’s research and development strategy and to oversee interactions with a broad range of internal and external sponsors and partners. This position requires you to have funding to cover the majority of your own time through programmatic and other direct funding sources. This position is in the Fusion Energy Sciences Section in the Physics Division.

You will 

• Provide leadership and direction in managing and coordinating the activities of a diverse group of Principal Investigators and Individual Contributors.
• Coordinate with Physics Division and Program management to ensure group members are available to fulfill programmatic assignments and needs.
• Identify opportunities to apply existing and proposed Group capabilities to new science and national security missions and develop new scientific programs and research proposals for internal and external sponsors and funding agencies.
• Foster collaborative interactions, both internally and externally, that advance the strategic goals of the Group and the Fusion Energy Science section.
• Mentor group members to promote professional development, including staff and performance management activities.
• Perform succession planning to ensure continuing coverage for key Group deliverables and responsibilities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Ability to secure and maintain a U.S. DOE Q level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship.
• Master’s degree in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and significant related experience.
• Significant experience with plasma science, national security, pulsed power plasmas, and/or high energy density science.
• Significant experience in one or more of the following areas: computational, experimental, theory or diagnostic expertise plasma physics; experience with pulsed power plasmas; and/or national security research experience.
• Ability to delegate effectively and to lead, motivate, and build multidisciplinary teams of scientists and/or computer scientists and engineers to meet programmatic and institutional goals.
• Significant experience developing and fulfilling novel research proposals for LDRD, Programmatic and/or external funding. 
• Expert collaboration skills with the proven ability to motivate personnel to achieve project objectives.
• Expert verbal and written communication skills necessary to effectively present, explain, and advise senior management and external sponsors, including preparing and presenting proposals and reporting results.

Qualifications We Desire

• PhD in Physics, Chemistry, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and significant related experience.
• In-depth knowledge of the needs of one or more Program sponsors within the Global Security (GS), Strategic Deterence (SD), and National Ignition Facility (NIF) 
• Experience working with NNSA and/or DOE Office of Science Program managers 

#LI-Onsite

Position Information

This is a Career Indefinite position, open to Lab employees and external candidates.

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules (*depending on project needs)
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values

Security Clearance

This position requires a Department of Energy (DOE) Q-level clearance.  If you are selected, we will initiate a Federal background investigation to determine if you meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. Also, all L or Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing.  Q-level clearance requires U.S. citizenship. 

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.

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To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. 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.

Reasonable Accommodation

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 use our online form to submit a request. 

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