Los Alamos National Labs with logo 2021

Graduate Research Assistant Program

Work with the best minds on the planet in an inclusive environment that is rich in intellectual vitality and opportunities for growth

Contact  

  • Program Manager for Undergraduate & Graduate Internships
  • Sarah Hoffman
  • Student Programs Office
  • Email

graduate student

Gain relevant work experience while pursuing a graduate degree


The Graduate Research Assistant Program (GRA) is a year-round internship program that provides domestic and international students with relevant research experience while they are pursuing a graduate degree. This educational program is designed to complement the students' education with work experience related to their chosen field of study. In some cases, students can arrange to conduct masters or doctoral thesis research at the Lab. There are appointments in both the technical and professional fields.

Information for prospective students

Eligibility Requirements
  • Provide documentation of acceptance into a graduate program.
  • Enroll in and successfully complete a minimum of 6 graduate credit hours per semester (or the equivalent of full-time enrollment). All students MUST remain enrolled at their university while working at the Lab during the academic year. Note: Students must provide the program coordinator with current, official transcripts annually to remain eligible. See the Annual Transcript Review section for additional information.
  • Have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 on 4.0 scale. Note: Students must provide the program coordinator with current, official transcripts annually to remain eligible. See the Annual Transcript Review section for additional information.
  • Pass a 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.
Apply For or Browse Internships
  1. To apply for or browse internships, go to iRecruitment at jobs.lanl.gov.
  2. Click the Quick Link that applies to you: Post Doc Jobs, Graduate Jobs, or Undergraduate Jobs.
  3. Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view any internships’ details.
  4. To apply for a position, you must have a job account. When applying, make sure to upload:
    • Resume
    • Cover letter. The cover letter should address the timeframe(s) you are available for an internship.
    • Transcripts
  5. If you do not find an internship vacancy that aligns with your academic or professional goals, you can apply to the capability-specific vacancies listed below. Note: The capability-specific vacancies require degree applicability.

The capability specific job vacancies listed below are available on August 2, 2023 - March 31, 2024

  • Biological Sciences Internship Program, Vacancy Name IRC123688
  • Computational Sciences Internship Program, Vacancy Name IRC123689
  • Engineering Internship Program, Vacancy Name IRC123690
  • Physical Sciences Internship Program, Vacancy Name IRC123691

For step-by-step instructions visit How to Apply and read the Student opportunities section.

If you have problems with the online application, visit Application Process Issues for assistance.

Hiring Process
  1. Student completes paperwork specified by the mentor for the hiring package.
  2. Mentor submits a hiring package to Human Resources (HR) for approval.
  3. Upon approval, an official offer letter is emailed to the student.
  4. The student reviews and accepts the offer and returns the signed offer letter to HR within two weeks of receiving the letter.
  5. Once the signed offer letter is returned, HR will confirm a start date and the student will be scheduled for new hire orientation. Note: Students should not report to their worksite until they have gone through the hiring and orientation process.
Post-Master's Opportunities

The Post-Master's category of the GRA program offers graduate interns the opportunity to participate in the GRA program after receiving a master's degree.

This category applies to those interns who have been awarded a master's degree within the past three years but have not yet been accepted into another master's program or a PhD program. Post-Master's interns may remain in this category for up to two years.

To remain in the GRA program after the two-year maximum in the post master's category, interns must be accepted and enrolled in another graduate program (master's or PhD).

Apply for or browse internships

  1. To apply for or browse internships, go to iRecruitment at jobs.lanl.gov.
  2. Click the Quick Link that applies to you: Post Doc Jobs, Graduate Jobs, or Undergraduate Jobs.
  3. Click the Vacancy Name number (in blue) to view any internships’ details.
  4. To apply for a position, you must have a job account. When applying, make sure to upload:
    • Resume
    • Cover letter
    • Transcripts

Mandatory policies for current student interns

Annual Academic Review Process

Annual Academic Review Process

The Annual Academic Review period opens January 4, 2024! This is a period when the Student Programs Office must review transcripts of EVERY currently enrolled undergraduate student (UGS) and graduate student (GRA) intern.* Current UGS and GRA interns should submit their most recent transcript (PDF/JPEG) to this form if they plan to continue to work after 5/31/2024:

2024 Academic Review Form

Transcripts must list: 

  1. First name and last name
  2. Cumulative GPA
  3. Major and degree pursued
  4. Fall 2023 semester grades and Spring 2024 semester schedule OR
  5. Winter 2024 quarter grades and Spring 2024 quarter schedule 

Submission deadlines:

Academic  review deadlines have not changed and are the same every year:

  • Semester System interns submission deadline: 2/26/24 COB.
  • Quarter System interns submission deadline: 4/23/24 COB.

*This process DOES NOT apply to interns classified as high school, student guest affiliates, post-associate’s, post-bachelors, post-masters, newly hired interns(i.e., hired in late 2023/early 2024), or applicants in the process of being hired for summer 2024. Failure to participate could result in the termination of your internship.

GRA Program Time Limit Policies

If you have a BS/BA degree

  • 4 years for students pursuing MS degree
  • 7 years for students pursuing PhD
  • 7 years for students pursuing MS and PhD

If you have an MS degree

  • 2 years for students pursuing 2nd MS degree
  • 4 years for students pursuing PhD
  • 6 years for students pursuing new field MS and PhD degree

If you have received a PhD

  • Individuals may remain in the GRA program for up to three months after receiving a PhD
Work Schedule Policies

9/80 work schedule

Summer students, post baccalaureate, post masters, and GRA students working on a thesis or dissertation are eligible to participate in the 9/80 work schedule. The student must have permission from the mentor to work this schedule, and it must be requested and approved through the payroll system.

Summer students

All students are eligible to work full-time (40 hours a week or the 9/80 schedule) during the summer months. In addition, students are not required to be enrolled in courses over the summer.

Year-round students

Students participating in some special undergraduate programs, post baccalaureate appointments, post-master's appointments, and GRA students working on a thesis or dissertation are excluded from the 30-hour per week work restriction.