Applied Data Science Postdoctoral Researcher

What You Will Do

You will work with the Information Systems and Modeling group on novel data science projects that make extensive use of analysis on large datasets ranging from text to numerical to imagery and more. Team members will support and enrich your research and professional goals through their outstanding breadth and depth of expertise in their respective fields. Our vibrant team of researchers is diverse across many spectrums, and we welcome people who are excited to work with an amazing team to help solve problems impacting our country and the world. The overarching goal of our research is to gain insights into human behavior using many different data sources and incorporate these insights into predictive models.

You will work with a multidisciplinary team of mathematicians, statisticians, remote sensing experts, biologists, physicists, and computer scientists in effort to build models of human dynamics using various internet data. Project components include data collection and curation, feature extraction, feature selection, time series modeling, and data fusion. You will have access to ample high-performance computing resources. A self-motivated, creative researcher will find this environment conducive to intellectual and professional growth. Our team supports and is looking for candidates who are diverse from multiple perspectives.

We seek applications from candidates with experience in any of the following research areas: computer science, information science, data science, mathematics, statistics, or closely related fields.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Experience conducting real-world data science research, including novel methods development or novel applications.
• An ability to work and communicate effectively in a diverse team environment.
• Proficiency in a programming language.
• A Ph.D. earned no more than five years ago in a related field
• Ability and desire to obtain Q and SCI clearances, which require U.S. citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances.

Education/Experience: Candidates must have received a Ph.D. within the last five years in a STEM field, or will have completed all Ph.D. requirements by commencement of appointment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Proficiency with Python R
• Proficiency with modern open-source data science and machine learning toolkits (e.g., scikit-learn, TensorFlow, PyTorch, statsmodels, Keras, NLTK, spaCy, tidytext, BeautifulSoup, Pandas)
• Proficiency with tools and workflows for modern software development (e.g., Git, GitLab/GitHub, unit/integration tests, Docker, SQL databases)
• Experience conducting data science research as a part of a multidisciplinary team
• A history of successful research in collaborative team environments
• Experience working with real-world "big" datasets

Location: This position will be located in Los Alamos, NM.

COVID Vaccine:

The COVID vaccine is mandatory for all Laboratory employees, on-site contractors, and on-site subcontractors unless granted an accommodation under applicable state or federal law. This requirement will apply to those working on-site, those teleworking, and all new hires.

Note to Applicants:

The application package consists of a CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter should explicitly address how you meet each of the minimum requirements and any of the desired skills, if applicable. In addition to applying online, applicants may email their CV and cover letter to Beth Hornbein (bethh@lanl.gov). No applicant is expected to have all of the desired skills. Anyone who meets the minimum requirements is encouraged to apply.

Exceptionally strong candidates may be eligible for a Chick-Keller or Director's Fellowship with the help of the LANL contact. Outstanding candidates may be considered for the prestigious J. Robert Oppenheimer, Richard P. Feynman, or Frederick Reines Distinguished Fellowships. For general information about the application processes and LANL fellowships refer to the LANL Postdoctoral Program page.
Where You Will Work

Located in northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. LANL enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

We are committed to work-life balance and personal/professional growth. Our creative and dedicated professionals are our greatest asset and we take pride in cultivating their talents, supporting their efforts, and enabling their success. Together we are advancing our national security mission.

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 childbirth and parental leave

§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)

§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance

§ Flexible schedules and time off (paid sick, vacation, 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.

Q Clearance: Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matter. This position requires a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon position, additional authorization to access nuclear weapons information may be required that may or may not be available to dual citizens depending upon the circumstances.

*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.

Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer and supports a diverse and inclusive workforce. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or preference, 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 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 1-505-665-4444 option 1.
Employment StatusFull Time