Postdoctoral Fellowship
in High Energy Density Science

The High Energy Density Science (HEDS) Center offers a highly competitive, two‑year postdoctoral position at LLNL.

Fellowships are awarded to candidates with exceptional talent, scientific track records, and potential for significant achievements. Typically, one new fellowship is awarded each year. Fellows are free to pursue their own research agenda under the guidance of a senior staff scientist who serves as a mentor. The fellows typically conduct their research in a collaborative, multidisciplinary, team-based environment with other scientists.

Application Deadline: October 15, 2024
Reference Letter Deadline: October 22, 2024

Listen to what Andrew Longman has to say regarding his role as HEDS Center fellow and why you should apply to be our next postdoctoral fellow.

Eligibility

The fellowship is open to researchers working in all HEDS-related disciplines, including nuclear physics, plasma physics, hydrodynamics, astrophysics, lasers, warm dense matter, hot dense matter, strongly coupled Coulomb systems, high-pressure science, laser-driven dynamic compression, matter and material at extreme conditions, interiors of planets and exoplanets, or giant impacts. HEDS fellows typically work in Physical and Life Sciences, Strategic Deterrence, or National Ignition Facility and Photon Science.

To be eligible for the fellowship, applicants must have completed their PhD or be in the process of completing their PhD (within one year). Selected fellows typically begin employment between August and October. (Note that employment at LLNL may not start until PhD requirements have been verified.)

Although U.S. citizenship is not required for application, candidates should be well versed on their current visa status (if any) and be prepared to provide this information, should they be selected as a potential fellow.

Application and Selection Process

The application is web-based and includes a statement of interest, three letters of recommendation, and transcripts.

Key Selection Criteria

A statement of technical interest, letters of recommendation, and your scientific track record are important components of our selection process. The statement of technical interest is a succinct research plan, where you describe why your research is important and how it will be carried out at LLNL. At least three reference letters need to be submitted by individuals who know you and your research well and can speak to your qualifications and achievements with specificity. Finally, your application will need to highlight first-author publications (in fields where this is relevant) and publications in premier journals (e.g., Science, Nature, or Physical Review Letters), as well as any patents and national (or international) awards and honors.

Process Timeline

  • October 15: Application deadline.
  • October 22: Reference letters deadline.
  • October to December. Committee reviews applications and identifies shortlist.
  • Mid-December: Mentor presentations.
  • Late December: Finalists notified and interviews scheduled.
  • January to February: Interviews with finalists.
  • March: Final committee deliberations and selected candidate notified.

Learn More

To get a better understanding of research conducted at LLNL that is related to HEDS, we encourage you to:

If you still have questions regarding the HEDS Center Postdoctoral Fellowship, contact Jessica Karlton, center administrator, at karlton1 [at] llnl.gov (karlton1[at]llnl[dot]gov).