P-1 Group Leader (R&D Manager 4)

What You Will Do

The Physics Division Office is seeking outstanding candidates for the full-time position of Group Leader/R&D Manager 4 in the Dynamic Imaging and Radiography Group (P-1). The Group Leader will report to the Physics Division Leader and provide scientific, technical, and operational leadership of a diverse group of research staff, postdocs, students, technicians, and affiliates/guests.

The group carries out experimental basic and applied research in support of the Laboratory's mission at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE) and other facilities around the world in areas including radiography, dynamic diagnostics, data analysis, and fundamental physics.

P-1 operates a key facility at LANSCE providing proton radiography (pRad), which is able to make multiple images over time to form time-lapse movies that illuminate ultra-fast phenomena. This capability is used to study shocked materials and other dynamic processes. The LEGEND experiment searching for the rare process of neutrinoless double-beta decay is also a primary focus in our efforts to understand the properties of the neutrino.

The Group Leader, working together with two half-time deputy group leaders, will provide leadership of the Group's activities, effectively championing capabilities and personnel. The successful candidate will function as a key part of the Physics Division management team and embrace our values, execute our strategy, and promote our vision. The Group Leader will lead the Group's strategic and tactical planning directed toward maintaining and enhancing the Group's scientific stature, programmatic engagement, and operational performance, in alignment with the objectives and mission of the Physics Division. They will lead the Group's management team in stewarding capabilities, developing programs, promoting effective partnering with LANL and external organizations, cultivating human capital, and ensuring sound management practices, including oversight of group finances, human resource management, and safety & security management. The job duties require full-time onsite presence, and occasional domestic and international travel.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Record of successful research in a scientific field relevant to at least one of the Group's core research areas as demonstrated by peer-reviewed publications, reports, and presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and work productively with group members, the division office, and supporting staff to safely and securely execute the P-1 scientific program.
• Demonstrated commitment to the professional development and mentoring of employees including personal mentoring and establishing mentoring relationships.
• Demonstrated scientific and organizational leadership as evidenced by the ability to conceive, organize, administer, and lead scientific teams and projects.
• Financial management skills and commitment to good business practices as demonstrated by performance and accomplishments in previous work assignments.
• Record of commitment to disciplined operations, safety, security, and quality in the workplace, and Equal Employment Opportunity.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DOE Q Clearance.

Education/Experience: Position requires a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution and 8 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupation. A Ph.D. in a relevant field is preferred.

Desired Qualifications:

• Familiarity with P-1 facilities at LANSCE (pRad), LANL firing sites, and external facilities (Nevada National Security Site, Gran Sasso National Laboratory) or comparable experimental facilities.
• Experience in leadership and personnel management in scientific or R&D areas.
• Demonstrated ability to foster productive collaborative partnerships and develop connections with programs and other groups at Los Alamos.
• Experience recruiting and developing the world's top talent within the expertise of P-1.
• Experience with proposal writing or program development.
• Understanding of NNSA Defense Programs, DOE Office of Science, and other sponsors to leverage the unique expertise within P-1 to meet programmatic needs.
• Demonstrated success in coordinating multiple competing priorities at the scale of tens of millions of dollars across dozens of staff.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully interact with all levels of management.
• Working knowledge of LANL administrative, financial, management, and ES&H practices.
• Familiarity with Laboratory and DOE policies and procedures.
• Active Q Clearance.

Work Location: The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Position commitment: Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position in order to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 1 year.

Note to Applicants: This job vacancy will close on 8/10/2026.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid maternity and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50-mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q (Position will be cleared to this level). Selected applicants will be subject to a background investigation conducted by or on behalf of the Federal Government, and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance, and obtaining such clearance requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon the position, additional authorization to access classified information may be required, which may or may not be available to dual citizens. Receipt of a Q clearance and additional access authorization ultimately is a decision of the Federal Government and not of Triad.

*Eligibility requirements: To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position: Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Incentive Compensation Program: Position is eligible to participate in the Triad Incentive Compensation Program. You must be in an eligible position for a minimum of 3 months, before July 1st and remain in an eligible position as of the end of the fiscal year, September 30th. The annual distribution is prorated based on the number of months in the eligible position.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
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