• Precollege |
• Undergraduate |
• Graduate |
• GRA |
• Mentors

Pre-College

The High-School Cooperative Program (HS Co-op) at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) offers qualified high-school seniors an opportunity to develop new, work-related skills and to gain work experience in a variety of technical and administrative careers.

HS Co-op appointments can be full time during the summer between a students junior and senior years and may continue on a part-time basis during the senior academic year.

HS Co-op eligibility

To qualify for the HS Co-op, a student must be

• a high school senior,
• at least 16 years of age,
• a US citizen, and
• in good academic standing

How to apply

Participating high schools receive application information and materials during annual scheduled campus visits by LANL representatives. Students interested in applying for the HS Co-op program will need a resume, a completed LANL Supplemental Employment form, a skills profile, and a current transcript.

Applications must be submitted through the high school counselor and received by the deadline.

High School Cooperative Program Post-Graduate Category

The HS Co-op program also offers recent high-school graduates an opportunity to work at LANL. Students in this post-graduate category have graduated, but they have not yet been accepted to or enrolled in an undergraduate college program. Post-graduate students can remain in this program for one year and are encouraged to take classes during that year. After a student provides proof of acceptance into an undergraduate program, the student can move to the undergraduate student program.

Undergraduate

The Undergraduate Student (UGS) Program at LANL offers summer, part-time, and full-time internships for undergraduate students. This year-round program gives students the opportunity to obtain valuable work experience while they pursue their undergraduate degree. Internships are available in technical and administrative fields.

UGS eligibility requirements

To qualify for the UGS Program, a student must

• Earn a high school diploma by the date of hire,
• Provide documentation of acceptance into an undergraduate academic program, and
• Enroll in college or university courses

UGS Post-Baccalaureate Category

The UGS Program includes a post-baccalaureate category for college graduates who have not yet been accepted to or enrolled in a graduate program. Participants have the opportunity to conduct research and gain valuable work experience at LANL. Participants may remain in this category for up to one year.

Graduate

The Graduate Research Assistant Program (GRA) at LANL is a year-round program that provides students with relevant research experience while they are pursuing a graduate degree. The majority of the appointments are in scientific and technical disciplines. In some cases, students can arrange to conduct masters or doctoral thesis research at the Laboratory. Appointments last from 90 days up to one year, with a renewal option based on program requirements.

GRA students are selected on the basis of field of study, good academic standing at their college or university, and research interests.

GRA eligibility requirements

To qualify for the GRA program, a student must have proof of

• good academic standing from your college or university,
• acceptance and active enrollment in a graduate program, and
• learning a bachelor's degree by the date of hire

Time limits for GRAs

If you have a BS/BA degree

• 4 years for students pursuing an M.S. degree
• 7 years for students pursuing a Ph.D. degree
• 8 years for students pursuing M.S. and Ph.D. degrees

If you have a M.S. degree

• 2 years for students pursuing a second M.S. degree
• 4 years for students pursuing a Ph.D. degree
• 6 years for students pursuing an M.S. and Ph.D. in a new field

Students may remain in the GRA program for up to three months after receiving a Ph.D.

All students must remain enrolled at their college or university while they are working in the GRA program at LANL. Students are required to provide proof of enrollment to LANL's Human Resources Office to verify continued eligibility.

GRA - PostMasters

The GRA post-masters category offers graduate students the opportunity to participate in the GRA program after they complete their masters degree. Post-masters students are encouraged to take classes during their appointment and may continue in the GRA program provided the student has not reached the maximum number of years allowed in the GRA program. To remain in the GRA program after the one-year maximum in the post-masters category, students must provide documentation indicating acceptance into another graduate program (masters or Ph.D.). Proof of good academic standing from the college or university is also required.

Mentorship

All student program participants in every category are paired with a Laboratory mentor who serves as a guide and resource to students.