Assistant Researcher - Nuclear Engineering

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/

PhD or equivalent international degree.

• 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.

• 3 required (contact information only)

UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community, which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.

The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.

For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy.

In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.

Unless stated otherwise, unambiguously, in the position description, this position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.
• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment