What are the responsibilities and job description for the Undergraduate Student Intern position at Los Alamos National Laboratory?
What You Will Do
The project seeks to answer a question arising in Monte Carlo neutronics. When calculating keff (an important measure of neutron multiplication) using the power series method, is it better to run a lot of cycles with relatively few neutrons each, or a few cycles with many neutrons each? The student will test various combinations of neutrons/cycle and number of cycles on a set of specific, well-defined test problems using the LANL Monte Carlo neutronics code MCNP (the student is not expected to define the test problems or write a Monte Carlo transport code). The student will develop a system for managing a large number of input and output files in a Linux environment. The student will help analyze and draw conclusions from the results. The project would also involve a literature review of this question. This is a summer internship, approximately 10-12 weeks. The application deadline is April 24, 2026.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Undergraduate
Ability to independently learn the usage of scientific software packages and how to perform analytical calculations.
Work Location: The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos, NM. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.
Note to Applicants:
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.
Required application materials:
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:
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
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.
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.
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.
The project seeks to answer a question arising in Monte Carlo neutronics. When calculating keff (an important measure of neutron multiplication) using the power series method, is it better to run a lot of cycles with relatively few neutrons each, or a few cycles with many neutrons each? The student will test various combinations of neutrons/cycle and number of cycles on a set of specific, well-defined test problems using the LANL Monte Carlo neutronics code MCNP (the student is not expected to define the test problems or write a Monte Carlo transport code). The student will develop a system for managing a large number of input and output files in a Linux environment. The student will help analyze and draw conclusions from the results. The project would also involve a literature review of this question. This is a summer internship, approximately 10-12 weeks. The application deadline is April 24, 2026.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Ability to perform a literature review.
- Ability to work in a Linux environment, OR ability and willingness to learn to do so.
- Ability to learn simple scripting.
Undergraduate
- Currently enrolled (12 semester credit hours or full-time equivalent) in an accredited undergraduate degree-granting program (or international equivalent)
- Must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
- Entering first-year students must provide documentation indicating matriculation into an accredited undergraduate degree program.
Ability to independently learn the usage of scientific software packages and how to perform analytical calculations.
Work Location: The work location for this position is hybrid and is located in Los Alamos, NM. Hybrid is defined as working partially onsite/partially offsite but within 2 hours ground commute of this location. All work locations are at the discretion of management and can change at any time with appropriate notice.
Note to Applicants:
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.
Required application materials:
- Current resume
- Current official transcripts
- Personal statement of interest (not to exceed one page)
- Anticipated travel requirements: None
- Contact: Jeffrey Favorite, fave@lanl.gov
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 childbirth 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)
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
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.
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.
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.