Hoffman Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow — Nuclear Nonproliferation

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory • Berkeley, CA

3d • $110,000 - $110,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Darleane C. Hoffman Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship is a two-year fellowship for early-career scientists who intend to build long-term careers in nuclear nonproliferation across the U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory system. It is part of the Next Generation Nonproliferation Leadership Development Program (NextGen), which supports the nonproliferation mission of the U.S. DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
Fellows spend the two-year fellowship at Berkeley Lab, where they develop the scientific, professional, and leadership foundation for long-term careers in nuclear nonproliferation while gaining exposure to the breadth of scientific missions, research environments, and career opportunities across the DOE national laboratory system.
Post-Fellowship Career Transition:
Following the fellowship, participants are expected to pursue career staff opportunities across the DOE national laboratory system. These positions require a separate application, interview, and hiring process through the hiring laboratory. NextGen may provide salary support to the hiring laboratory during the first two years of an eligible appointment. Candidates should be open to opportunities at multiple DOE laboratories and geographic locations, as employment at any particular laboratory or location is not guaranteed.
Laboratories engaged in nonproliferation work include Argonne, Brookhaven, Idaho, Kansas City National Security Campus, Lawrence Livermore, Los Alamos, Nevada National Security Site, Oak Ridge, Pacific Northwest, Sandia, Savannah River, Y-12, and others across the DOE complex.
Research Areas
Nonproliferation research draws on a broad range of scientific and technical disciplines. Fellows propose independent research projects that advance the nuclear nonproliferation mission. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to:
Nuclear and radiochemistry, nuclear forensics, and isotopic analysis
Actinide and nuclear fuel cycle chemistry
Nuclear physics and accelerator-based science
Radiation detection, imaging, and instrumentation
Materials science, photonics, and advanced sensor development
Seismology and geophysics, including seismic modeling, sensing, and other approaches to detecting and characterizing nuclear-related activity
Environmental signatures, including atmospheric and subsurface fate and transport, atmospheric modeling, isotope geochemistry, and remote sensing
Data processing, signal analysis, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and computational methods applicable across these research areas

Requirements

• Ph.D. in a technical field such as chemistry, physics, materials science, engineering (nuclear, computer, etc.), earth or atmospheric sciences, geophysics, or a related discipline.
• Less than three years of paid postdoctoral experience as of the expected start date of October 1, 2027.
• A strong academic track record, shown through publications and scientific presentations.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research with sound scientific judgment.
• Demonstrated interest in a long-term career in nuclear nonproliferation within the DOE national laboratory system, including willingness to explore and pursue post-fellowship staff opportunities at multiple national laboratories and geographic locations.
• Effective communication and collaboration skills in diverse, multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment to working safely and in full compliance with regulations and best practices.
• Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. Be prepared to provide documentation during the clearance process.

Nice To Haves

• Prior nonproliferation research is valued but not required.

Responsibilities

• Define project scope, objectives, and research strategies for an independent research project advancing nuclear nonproliferation.
• Manage the project's budget, schedule, and milestones, and adapt plans as results emerge.
• Execute technical work, whether experimental, field-based, or computational, and collaborate across disciplines.
• Ensure high-quality data through sound practices in instrumentation, field measurement, modeling, or analysis, as appropriate to your project.
• Communicate results through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, conference presentations, and sponsor engagement.
• Build collaborative networks across Berkeley Lab and the DOE national laboratory complex, including with laboratories where you may pursue a staff position.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, high-performing research environment.
• Participate in NextGen programming including scientific leadership, project management, nuclear nonproliferation, and career development.
• Engage in seminars, workshops, and group meetings to foster interdisciplinary exchange, broaden your scientific perspective and support your professional growth.
• Explore the broader DOE national laboratory system through visits, engagement, and networking with participating laboratories, particularly during the second year of the fellowship, to learn about different missions, research environments, and career opportunities.

Benefits

• Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree.
• The annual salary for this position is $110,000.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree