Laser-Matter Interaction Experimentalist

## Company Description **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. ## Job Description We are seeking an experienced **Laser-Matter Interaction Experimentalist** to lead the development of high-energy laser experiments at the Optical Sciences Laser (OSL) laboratory in support of LLNL’s energy and security missions. This position is part of the National Ignition Facility and Photon Science (NIF&PS) Directorate, home to the world’s most energetic laser. OSL has hosted more than 20 years of high-energy optics research and development. Its two beamlines and four-plus target chambers have supported some of the most distinctive laser-damage and laser-material-interaction experiments in the world. OSL experiments integrate optical engineering, laser physics, optical materials science, and hands-on operation of laser and plasma diagnostics, including high-speed cameras. In this role, you will lead and conduct experiments with an interdisciplinary team of laser scientists, optical and mechanical engineers, and technicians. A major focus of the position will be a multi-year experimental effort to design and evaluate a compact kJ-class spatial filter concept. OSL has strong demand for shot time on the system, with experiments typically divided between approximately R&D in support of customer experiments and OSL system improvement efforts. Because of the complexity of the laser system, the cost of experiments, and the size of the team required to operate the laboratory, strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. **In this role, you will** - Collaborate in the development of experimental campaigns exploring intense laser-matter interactions and high-energy laser component development. - Conduct hands-on alignment and commissioning of laser systems and plasma diagnostics, including high-speed cameras. - Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams that research, design, develop, integrate, field, and improve advanced high-energy laser systems, high-peak-power lasers, and high-average-power laser technologies. - Incorporate new physics models and emerging technologies to support evolving mission priorities. - Prepare and deliver technical presentations to clearly communicate complex concepts, project updates, and technical recommendations to internal teams and stakeholders. - Conduct technical tasks in design, planning, and documentation of experimental campaigns, including shot request preparation, safety documentation, and post-shot analysis reports. - Perform other duties as assigned. **Additional job responsibilities, at the SES.4 level** - Provide technical and strategic direction for multi-year experimental programs, defining campaign objectives, resource requirements, and success metrics in alignment with directorate priorities. - May serve as the principal technical representative for OSL experimental capabilities in interactions with external sponsors, review committees, and collaborative institutions, ensuring alignment between facility capabilities and programmatic needs. - Develop new ideas, modify approaches, and drive adoption of novel diagnostic techniques, automation approaches, and operational improvements that expand experimental capability and increase throughput across OSL beamlines and target chambers. ## Qualifications - Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. - PhD in laser physics, applied physics, optical sciences, laser engi…