Military Research Associates Program

Military Research Associates (MRAs) are career active-duty military officers with training and interests relevant to the Laboratory's work and mission. They are assigned to the Laboratory for a regular tour of duty to gain experience in science and technology areas and to broaden their knowledge of Laboratory technical programs and capabilities. MRAs are equivalent to Technical Staff Members.

Assignments

Assignments vary in length depending on the officer’s military duties and the nature of their research assignment. Research assignments are designed to afford an opportunity to engage in hands-on, basic, and applied research with Laboratory technical staff members. Los Alamos performs research and development to support Department of Defense (DoD) technology interests in the following areas:

• Conventional Non-Nuclear Weapons Technologies;
• Defense Advanced Concepts;
• Modeling and Simulation and Analysis Application;
• Defense Environmental Technologies;
• High-Performance Computing and Communications Support;
• Defense Sensor Technologies;
• Russian Materials and Facilities; and
• Chemical & Biological Defense/Bioscience
• Biomedical Technologies

Nominations

The individual military branches may nominate officers for this Program by submitting a letter of nomination to the Program Manager for DoD Programs, or military officers may contact the DoD Programs Office directly. No officer may be assigned to the Laboratory without the DoD Programs Manager’s concurrence. The DoD Programs Office will disseminate information regarding MRA candidates to potential host organizations.

Interviews

Officers meeting initial Laboratory needs are interviewed by the technical managers who are interested in having them assigned to their organizations. Arrangements for interviews and associated travel are made by the potential Laboratory host organizations. Final assignment to an organization is based on the officer's preference, the Laboratory organization's preference, and the concurrence of the officer's service branch.

Agreement

A mutual agreement is made between the Laboratory host organization and the service branch prior to the beginning of the assignment. This may consist of an offer/acceptance letter being forwarded to the officer's service branch.

Security Clearances

A DoD Secret or Top Secret clearance is required for an MRA assignment. The MRA is responsible for obtaining the clearance and transferring it to the Laboratory. The clearance level will be determined by the Laboratory host organization. The DoD clearance may be renewed on a yearly basis, as long as it is not terminated at the MRA's place of origin, or a request for a DOE L or Q clearance may be initiated by the host organization.

Payments

MRA's salaries, round-trip travel to and from point of origin, and subsistence are paid by the MRA's respective branches of service. The Laboratory host organization may pay for travel on official business.

Work Environment

The normal work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., unless otherwise arranged with supervisor. Training is provided for all special and potentially hazardous activities. The dress code is informal civilian attire.