Nuclear Physicist

SLB; Sugar Land (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

SLB’s Houston Formation Evaluation (HFE) center seeks an engineering scientist specializing in nuclear physics, with emphasis on particle transport in electric fields, to develop hardware prototypes and models for PNGs and related devices.

The role blends experiment and modeling toward design, validation, and manufacturing of commercial products, with opportunities to publish, present at conferences, and contribute to product documentation.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree related to experiment, modeling, and analysis of nuclear radiation data.
• Interest in testing methods and interpretation of data; combination of experiment and computing.
• Fluency with programming languages such as Python, Matlab, C++, or similar; ML/data science is a plus.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills; team collaboration.
• Access to technology and/or data subject to ITAR/EAR; employment contingent on access.

Responsibilities

• Provide research and development solutions based on principles of physics and mathematical models
• Build virtual and real prototypes, products, and systems suitable for testing
• Design testing procedures, coordinate tests, and document results
• Conduct technical reviews of project requirements, specifications and risk analysis
• Assist in commercialization tasks where applicable
• Create and maintain product documentation
• Make presentations to technical, management, and client audiences as needed
• Author technical reports, papers, articles and patents
• Share expertise via internal knowledge sharing methods and special interest groups
• Assign, direct and review the work of technicians and junior engineers; mentor junior team members
• Provide training and support to customers and field representatives as needed
• Maintain familiarity with company technology, organization and business
• Keep abreast of novel technical concepts and markets; learn new skills as required
• Participate in recruiting activities
• Work primarily on site in a lab environment (modest remote work flexibility is possible)

Skills

Python

Matlab

C++

Machine Learning

Data Science

Education

Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or related field

Job description

SLB’s Houston Formation Evaluation (HFE) center is a premier facility for developing and delivering cutting edge software and hardware tools for the global energy industry spanning new energy and fossil fuel applications. HFE is seeking applicants for an engineering scientist position in the domain of nuclear physics with specific emphasis on particle transport in electric fields. The successful candidate must have general experience in nuclear particle accelerators. Specific experience in fit-for-purpose generators – such as pulsed neutron generators (PNGs) or x-ray generators – is preferred. The position initially spans both experiment and modeling toward the design, validation, and manufacturing of commercial products based on PNGs.

Nuclear measurements are critical for characterizing the Earth’s subsurface toward delivering advanced answers while logging (measuring) deep underground. SLB’s industry- leading technology is developed both for legacy oil and gas applications and to build on our leadership in the global energy transition.

As a member of our multidisciplinary team, you will have a key role in developing and implementing hardware prototypes and models based on fundamental science to solve real-world problems. You will provide physical understanding, experimental know-how, and computing skills to take advantage of nuclear measurements that span diverse spatial scales and sensing techniques. Scientists are encouraged to publish research results, to present work at conferences, and to patent innovative ideas.

The broader physics community at HFE has expertise in acoustics, EM, nuclear magnetic resonance, and geophysical measurements. Physicists collaborate with software and answer product engineers, including AI developers. Extensive datasets and computing infrastructure are available on the premises and in the cloud.

Roles & Responsibilities – the successful candidate will engage in these activities:

• Provide research and development solutions based on principles of physics and mathematical models
• Build virtual and real prototypes, products, and systems suitable for testing
• Design testing procedures, coordinate tests, and document results
• Conduct technical reviews of project requirements, specifications and risk analysis
• Assist in commercialization tasks where applicable
• Contribute to design standards
• Create and maintain product documentation
• Make presentations to technical, management, and client audiences.as needed
• Author technical reports, papers, articles and patents
• Share expertise via internal knowledge sharing methods and special interest groups. Build informal networks throughout the organization and with other industry experts including customers
• Assign, direct and review the work of technicians and junior engineers. Mentor junior team members as required
• Provide training and support to customers and field representatives as needed
• Maintain familiarity with company technology, organization and business
• Keep abreast of novel technical concepts and markets; Learn new skills and practices as required to develop products that maintain SLB’s technical leadership
• Participate in recruiting activities
• Work primarily on site in a lab environment (modest remote work flexibility is possible)

Qualifications & Experience

• Ph.D. degree in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or related fields, with courses and preferably thesis work related to experiment, modeling, and analysis of nuclear radiation data.
• Strong interest in testing methods and interpretation of data. You thrive on the combination of experiment and computing to extract insights.
• Fluency with programming languages such as Python, Matlab, C++, or similar. Experience with machine learning and data science is an advantage but is not required.
• Demonstrated problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills. You are enthusiastic and work well in a team of scientists and engineers.
• This position involves access to technology and/or data subject to U.S. export control laws, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Employment is contingent upon the applicant’s ability to access export-controlled information in accordance with these regulations.

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