Assistant Researcher in Nuclear Engineering

Laplace Expert Ltd; California; On-site; USD 129,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California, Berkeley’s Applied Nuclear Science Group seeks an Assistant Researcher to lead the development of a compact nuclear-imaging logging tool for cased-hole subsurface environments. The candidate will supervise R&D across universities, national labs, industry, and government partners.

The role includes prototype design, integration, testing, and Monte Carlo simulations with ML methods, plus mentoring of students and reporting on milestones.

Qualifications

• PhD in nuclear engineering or closely related discipline; international degree acceptable.
• At least two years of post-PhD research experience in nuclear instrumentation or radiation detection.
• Experience leading multi-institutional R&D projects and mentoring researchers.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of a compact nuclear-imaging logging tool for cased-hole environments; oversee prototype design, integration and testing.
• Conduct alpha-particle detection with D-T neutron generators; operate D-D and D-T neutron systems.
• Perform Monte Carlo radiation-transport simulations and ML-assisted design optimization; predict performance.

Skills

Nuclear instrumentation

Radiation detection

D-D neutron generators

D-T neutron generators

Monte Carlo radiation transport

MCNP

Geant4

FLUKA

Machine-learning optimization

Image reconstruction

Nuclear logging-tool development

Research leadership

Multi-institutional collaboration

Scientific communication

Technical reporting

Mentoring

Proposal development

Education

PhD or equivalent international degree

Tools

MCNP

Geant4

FLUKA

Job description

Assistant Researcher in Nuclear Engineering

University of California, Berkeley · Department of Nuclear Engineering, Applied Nuclear Science Group

California, United States

Apply by 26 Oct 2026

About This Opportunity

UC Berkeley's Applied Nuclear Science Group seeks an Assistant Researcher to lead development of a compact nuclear-imaging logging tool for cased-hole subsurface environments. The final application deadline is 25 October 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

The Assistant Researcher will act as technical lead for a multi-party project developing next-generation nuclear imaging instrumentation for cased-hole subsurface environments. The work spans prototype design, integration and testing; alpha-particle detection for associated-particle imaging with D-T neutron generators; operation of D-D and D-T neutron systems; and Monte Carlo radiation-transport simulation combined with machine-learning methods for design optimization and performance prediction. The researcher will coordinate R&D across university, national-laboratory, industry and government partners, supervise the final experimental campaign, support safe radiation-instrumentation operations, and travel to collaborator and field-test sites. The role also carries substantial research-leadership responsibilities, including sponsor milestones and technical reporting, conference presentations, peer-reviewed publications, invention disclosures, proposal development and mentoring of undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral researchers. The initial appointment is two years, with possible extension based on performance and funding.

Level Researcher

Attendance On-site

Time Commitment Full-time

Duration Initial two-year appointment with possible extension based on performance and funding availability

Reference Code JPF05513

Field Nuclear Imaging Instrumentation and Radiation Detection

Organization Type University

Funding & Compensation

Amount USD 128,600-161,500

Funding Type Salary

Funding Status Paid

Requirements

Education

PhD or equivalent international degree. Preferred fields include nuclear engineering, nuclear instrumentation, radiation detection, applied physics, experimental physics or a closely related discipline.

Experience

Independent research experience in nuclear instrumentation, radiation detection, neutron measurements or related areas is preferred, including at least two years of post-PhD work for the strongest profile. Relevant experience may include logging tools, detector development, neutron generators, Monte Carlo transport, laboratory operations, machine-learning-assisted optimization and milestone-driven sponsored research.

Technical Skills

• Nuclear instrumentation
• Radiation detection
• D-D neutron generators
• D-T neutron generators
• Monte Carlo radiation transport
• MCNP
• Geant4
• FLUKA
• Machine-learning-assisted optimization
• Image reconstruction
• Nuclear logging-tool development

General Skills

• Research leadership
• Multi-institutional collaboration
• Scientific communication
• Technical reporting
• Mentoring
• Proposal development