The lab is part of the Energy Department’s National Nuclear Security Administration. It has about eight thousand employees.

Reportedly most of the potential layoffs would come first from support and operations employees.

Lab spokeswoman Susan Houghton says it’s still not known whether any scientists will be laid off.  

"Our goal however is to try to minimize the effect on our scientific workforce and our programmatic work so we’ll mainly be looking for support in the operations side of the house."

Houghton says the lab faces a $300 million shortfall. She blames the deficit in part on Congress’ failure to pass a 2008 budget for the Department of Energy.

Should layoffs be necessary they would become effective in January.