- Apply for Specific Position - We encourage all prospective applicants to apply directly to a specified position posted on the lanl.jobs website. Modifying your resume and cover letter for the desired job requirements as listed will make your application more competitive.
- Interview by a Mentor - All postdocs must have a mentor/sponsor who is a lab staff member. By applying to a specific job ad, there is a mentor (or mentors) already identified with that position. The mentor(s) will review and downselect from all applicants. They will contact you if you are under consideration for the position.
- Create Postdoc Application Package - If selected for the specified position through an interview process, you and your potential mentor will work together to create your Postdoc Application Package. Requirements and instructions for creating the package.
- Submit Postdoc Application Package - Submit a completed package to the Postdoc Program office, postdocprogram@lanl.gov. The Postdoctoral Committee will review all packages to ensure quality of the applicant and scope and relevance of proposed research to Los Alamos National Laboratory missions.
If prospective postdocs have not identified a specific position posted on the lanl.jobs website, they can submit a general application. *Note - this application is for general vacancy at Los Alamos National Laboratory, and does not guarantee consideration for specific positions or interview process. We encourage all prospective postdocs to follow the first process outlined above.
Identify a Mentor - To be considered for a postdoc appointment, a candidate must be nominated and sponsored by a member of the Laboratory's technical staff. A candidate can identify a sponsor by:
- Asking your thesis committee or others in your network if they have contacts at the Lab.
- Reviewing research being conducted at the Lab.
- Networking at conferences and workshops.
- Reviewing journal articles (see below).
- Attending university recruiting events.
If you would like to learn about specialists in a certain field, we recommend that you search the Lab’s individual researcher web pages. As you write to the staff member, we recommend that you include some information about your research background, what you found interesting about their research, and how your research compliments that of the Lab staff member. Please be aware that not all of the Lab’s technical staff is currently hiring looking for a a postdoc on their team.
- Interview for the Position - If your general application is viewed by a potential staff member seeking a postdoc, they may contact you for more information or interview.
- Create Postdoc Application Package - If selected, you and your potential mentor will work together to create your Postdoc Application Package. Requirements and instructions for creating the package.
- Submit Postdoc Application Package - Submit a completed package to the Postdoc Program office, postdocprogram@lanl.gov. The Postdoctoral Committee will review all packages.
Selection for postdoc appointments is extremely competitive and determined by the candidate's academic qualifications, research excellence, demonstrated leadership and collaborative skills. Laboratory technical staff routinely review postdoctoral CVs, uploaded during the application process, and contact candidates who are a strong match for their research. After the application, there is an interview process, and, if selected, compilation of a postdoc package and research proposal.
