Data Science - Postdoctoral Researcher

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

$143,328 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; pay will not be below any applicable local minimum wage.  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 Data Science Postdoctoral Researcher to perform research in multi-objective reinforcement learning as applied to physics and engineering problems, such as may be used in the protection of critical infrastructure. This may require the development of numerical linear algebra techniques in order to achieve efficient computation, as well as neural network and data compression to enable models to run on constrained edge hardware. In addition, statistical techniques and stochastic computing methods are frequently employed to enable reasoning and learning under uncertainty. You will support ongoing projects by developing capabilities to solve real-world problems aimed at improving the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our nation’s critical infrastructure. This position is in the Center for Applied Scientific Computing (CASC) within the Computation Directorate.

In this role you will

• Research and develop reinforcement learning techniques to solve physics and engineering problems focused on the protection of critical infrastructure.
• Research and develop neural network compression and efficiency-enhancing approaches to enable effective use in constrained environments.
• Research and develop multiresolution data compression and visualization techniques to enable analysis of complex data.
• Develop high-quality software that solves complex machine learning problems that is extensible and maintainable by downstream users and developers.
• Deploy software on real-world devices to evaluate novel techniques in real-world settings.
• Develop and test algorithms and software in practical settings taking real-world limitations under consideration.
• Interact with engineers and other stakeholders in the space to understand those practical, real-world limitations.
• Pursue independent (but complementary) research interests and being able to interact with team members internally and externally.
• Publish research results in external peer-reviewed scientific journals and participate in conferences and workshops.
• Present formal and informal overview of research progress at group meetings.
• Participate in existing division collaborations and alliances with academia and industry.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, or related field.
• Research experience in machine learning and reinforcement learning.
• Research experience in optimization or numerical linear algebra.
• Research experience in neural network compression, efficiency, or distillation.
• Ability to conduct high quality research and to develop implementations of sophisticated algorithms to evaluate the results.
• Experience programming in Python and/or C++.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills necessary to interact with members of a research team, author technical and scientific reports and papers, and deliver technical presentations.
• Demonstrated publication record in peer-reviewed journals and/or conferences.
• Strong decision-making skills necessary to independently solve complex research problems.

Qualifications We Desire  

• Experience in developing parallel or high-performance software.
• Experience developing leveraging software design principles to build extensible and maintainable software.
• Experience in an engineering area such as power grid analysis.

#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 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

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.) 

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)

The 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Section 3112, generally prohibits citizens of China, Russia, Iran and North Korea without dual US citizenship or legal permanent residence from accessing specific non-public areas of national security or nuclear weapons facilities.  The restrictions of NDAA Section 3112 apply to this position.  To be qualified for this position, Candidates must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112.

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.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

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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