Assistant Researcher - Nuclear Engineering

University of California-Berkeley; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 162,000; Full time

Job summary

University of California‑Berkeley invites applications for an Assistant Researcher in the Applied Nuclear Science Group within the Department of Nuclear Engineering. The role leads a multi‑party project on next‑generation nuclear imaging instrumentation for subsurface environments, interfacing with university, national labs, industry, and government partners.

The position emphasizes design, testing, and coordinate activities, with opportunities to publish, present, and pursue PI/Co‑PI roles

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent international degree required at time of application.
• Strong independent research capability in nuclear instrumentation.
• Experience with logging-tool design or subsurface measurement tech.
• Experience with Monte Carlo simulations and machine learning for detector design.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, integration, and testing of a compact nuclear imaging logging-tool prototype.
• Coordinate R&D activities across university, laboratory, industry, and government partners.
• Design and execute experiments involving alpha-particle detection for imaging using D‑T generators.
• Operate, support, and coordinate experiments involving D‑D and D‑T neutron generators.
• Develop Monte Carlo simulations and ML methods to optimize design and predict performance.
• Lead and supervise the final experimental campaign assessing the prototype.
• Prepare quarterly technical reports and deliverables for sponsor reviews.
• Present progress at project meetings and technical conferences.
• Publish findings and draft invention disclosures/IP documentation.
• Contribute to proposals and potentially serve as PI/Co-PI on related projects.
• Guide undergraduate, graduate, and postdoc researchers on the project.
• Support safe laboratory operations involving radiation sources and detectors.

Skills

Nuclear instrumentation

Neutron detection

Monte Carlo simulations

Machine learning

Experimental design

Project leadership

Mentoring

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in nuclear engineering

PhD equivalent international degree

Tools

MCNP

Geant4

FLUKA

Neutron generators

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Assistant Researcher

Salary range: The UC academic salary scales set the minimum pay determined by rank and step at appointment. See Table 14 for the current salary scale for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $128,600 - $161,500. "Off-scale" salaries, which yield compensation that is higher than the published system-wide salary at the designated rank and step, are offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Fall 2026

Position duration: The initial period of appointment is two years with the possibility of extension based on performance and the availability of funding.

Application Window

Open date: September 23, 2026

Next review date: Wednesday, Oct 7, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Apply by this date to ensure full consideration by the committee.

Final date: Sunday, Oct 25, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

The Applied Nuclear Science Group, directed by Prof. Igor Jovanovic in the Department of Nuclear Engineering, invites applications for an Assistant Researcher position. The Applied Nuclear Science Group conducts edge research in nuclear instrumentation, radiation detection, imaging technologies, and radiation transport applied to nuclear energy, nuclear security, and fundamental science.

The successful candidate will serve as the technical lead for a multi-party research project focused on developing next‑generation nuclear imaging instrumentation for cased‑hole subsurface environments. Working in a dynamic, highly collaborative setting, the position offers an exciting opportunity to interface directly with multidisciplinary teams across university, national laboratory, industry, and government partner organizations. The initial period of appointment is two years.

Responsibilities include:

• Lead the design, development, integration, and testing of a compact nuclear imaging logging‑tool prototype.
• Coordinate R&D activities across university, laboratory, industry, and government project partners.
• Design and execute experiments involving alpha‑particle detection for associated-particle imaging using D‑T neutron generators.
• Operate, support, and coordinate experiments involving D‑D and D‑T neutron generators.
• Develop and apply Monte Carlo radiation transport simulations and machine‑learning methods to optimize tool design and predict system performance.
• Lead and directly supervise the final experimental campaign assessing the technical performance of the prototype tool.
• Prepare quarterly technical reports, milestone updates, and required deliverables for sponsor program reviews.
• Present research progress at project meetings, annual sponsor meetings, collaborator meetings, and technical conferences.
• Publish research findings in peer‑reviewed journals, conference proceedings, technical reports, and submit invention disclosures/IP documentation.
• Contribute to proposal development for new research initiatives and potentially serve as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co‑PI on related projects, subject to institutional policies.
• Provide guidance and oversight to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers working on the project.
• Support safe and compliant laboratory operations involving radiation sources, neutron generators, detector systems, and associated experimental infrastructure.
• Travel to collaborator sites, national laboratories, field‑test locations, and sponsor review meetings

Lab Contract: https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/resources/employment-policies-contracts/bargaining-units/academic-researchers/

Qualifications

Basic qualifications (required at time of application) PhD or equivalent international degree.

Preferred qualifications

• Ph.D. in nuclear engineering, nuclear instrumentation, radiation detection, applied physics, experimental physics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research in nuclear instrumentation, radiation detection, neutron measurements, or a closely related area.
• Prior experience with logging‑tool design, borehole instrumentation, subsurface measurement systems, or closely related downhole nuclear measurement technologies.
• Experience designing, building, integrating, testing, or operating radiation detection systems.
• Experience with scintillation detectors, alpha‑particle detection, gamma-ray detection, neutron detection, fast‑timing systems, or related detector technologies.
• Experience with Monte Carlo radiation transport modeling, such as MCNP, Geant4, FLUKA, or comparable simulation tools.
• Prior experience mentoring graduate students, undergraduate students, junior researchers, or technical staff.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a highly collaborative, multi‑institutional research environment.
• Ability to work onsite in laboratory environments involving radiation instrumentation and neutron‑source operations.
• At least two years of post‑Ph.D. research experience in nuclear instrumentation, radiation detection, subsurface nuclear measurements, or a related field. Experience operating or conducting experiments with D‑D and/or D‑T neutron generators.
• Experience with fast scintillators, silicon photomultipliers, photomultiplier tubes, neutron generators, or compact nuclear logging‑tool components.
• Experience with machine‑learning‑assisted detector optimization, inverse problems, image reconstruction, or data‑driven modeling of radiation measurement systems.
• Experience with ADOE, national laboratory, or other milestone‑driven research programs, including technical reporting and program reviews.
• Experience with fusion diagnostics, space treaty verification, nuclear security, safeguards, nonproliferation, or other applied nuclear measurement areas.
• Experience managing or supporting operations in a nuclear, radiation, accelerator, or detector‑development laboratory.
• Require training or mentoring experience, in hands‑on, laboratory‑based, project‑based, or design‑oriented courses.
• Demonstrated record of peer‑reviewed publications, technical reports, proposal writing, or externally funded research contributions.
• Demonstrated trajectory toward independent research leadership, including interest in co‑PI or PI roles on future sponsored projects.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Statement of Research

Reference requirements: 3 required (contact information only)

Help contact: [e-mail]

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