Assistant Researcher - Nuclear Engineering

Berkeley International; Berkeley (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Applied Nuclear Science Group at the Department of Nuclear Engineering in Berkeley invites applications for an Assistant Researcher to lead design and evaluation of next‑generation nuclear imaging instrumentation for subsurface environments. The position offers collaboration with university, national labs, industry and government partners, with a two‑year initial appointment.

The successful candidate will interface with multidisciplinary teams, supervise students and postdocs, and contribute

Qualifications

• Lead design, development, integration and testing of imaging tools.
• Coordinate multi-party R&D activities across partners.
• Develop MC simulations and ML methods for tool optimization.

Responsibilities

• Lead 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

Skills

Technical leadership

Design and testing

Monte Carlo simulations

Machine learning methods

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job 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

PhD or equivalent international degree.