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Employment Information for Students

Information on eligibility, salary and the hiring process for Student Interns

Eligibility

Sfo Eligibility Chart
  • Senior status at a New Mexico high school
  • Over 16 years of age
  • GPA 2.75+
  • Ability to pass a required drug test

Entering first year students

  • Acceptance into an undergraduate program with intent to enroll and pass drug test

Continuing Students

  • Full time student status GPA 2.75+
  • Pass required drug test

Post-Bachelor's

  • Awarded bachelor’s degree in the past 3 years with a 2.75+ GPA
  • Not yet been accepted/enrolled into a graduate program
  • Been a LANL Post Bacc for less than 2 years
  • Pass required drug test

Entering first year students

  • Acceptance into a graduate program with intent to enroll and ability to pass a required drug test

Continuing Students

  • Full-time student status
  • GPA 3.2+
  • Ability to pass a required drug test

Post-Masters

  • Awarded master’s degree in the past three years with a 3.2+ GPA
  • Not yet been accepted/enrolled into a master’s or PhD. program
  • Been a LANL Post-Grad for less than 2 years
  • Ability to pass a required drug test

Enjoy an extraordinary life in Northern New Mexico.

Northern New Mexico

Los Alamos National Laboratory is located in Los Alamos, New Mexico – in the northern region of the Land of Enchantment. New Mexico offers deserts, forests, mountains, vibrant cities, and a rich culture and history.

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Hiring Process

How to apply 

Students who meet the eligibility requirements must do the following to apply: 

  • Complete the online iRecruitment application and upload a cover letter, resume and current unofficial transcript. Please note that students who fail to upload all the required documents will not be considered. (For step-by-step instructions, visit our How to Apply  and read the section titled “Student opportunities.” If you have problems with the online application, visit our “Application Process Issues” page for assistance.) 
  • The cover letter should describe key aspects of the applicant’s background and include two or three academic areas of interest. 
  • The application and required documents must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on the specified deadline. 
  • If you are selected for an internship, a hiring manager or your mentor will contact you directly, not the Student Programs Office. 

Selection Process

Mentors select interns by searching the resume database in iRecruitment. We recommend that you explore the Lab's website and locate projects, programs, or research that interests you and aligns with your educational goals. You should contact organizations listed on these webpages and inquire about potential student internships and inform them of your interests. You may also review the Project Description Books to identify prospective mentors. Many students are selected for internships after networking with Lab employees.

Please keep in mind that internship positions are competitive and the decision to hire students rests entirely with the mentor. Once mentors have narrowed their search, they will contact students directly to conduct interviews over the phone or in person.  

When a student is selected for an internship position:

  1. The student completes paperwork specified by the mentor for the hiring package. 
  2. The 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 schedule the student for new-hire orientation. 

Benefits

The Science of Living Well.

Our comprehensive benefits package offers health coverage for you and your eligible family members today and financial plans to help you prepare for the future.

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2025 Salary Structure

Salaries effective February 3, 2025, reflected in the February 20, 2025 paycheck

2025 Intern Salary Structure

Technical Hourly Rate*

Technical Annual Rate

Professional Hourly Rate*

Professional Annual Rate

High School (rising seniors)

$16.50

$34,320

$16.50

$34,320

UGS 1

(less than 60 semester hours or equivalent)

$22.57

$46,950

$19.49

$40,548

Post-Associate's

$23.98

$49,878

$20.80

$43,266

UGS 2

(60 semester hours or more or equivalent)

$30.53

$63,497

$26.27

$54,652

Post-Bachelor's

$32.93

$68,490

$28.46

$59,206

GRA 1
(prior to master’s degree or less than 24 semester hours or equivalent in doctoral program)

$36.52

$75,956

$31.75

$66,037

Post-Master's

$40.51

$84,255

$32.84

$68,314

GRA 2
(master’s degree earned or more than 24 semester hours or equivalent in doctoral program)

$41.64

$86,619

$33.38

$69,431

GRA 3
(48 semester hours OR all but dissertation [ABD])

$41.64

$86,619

$33.38

$69,431

This structure will award credit for AP/IB courses, transfer courses, 
dual credit, and summer courses.

*The hourly rate is computed by dividing the annual rate by 2080 and rounded to five decimal points.

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