Physicist

Teledyne Technologies•Oak Ridge, TN

22h

About The Position

Teledyne FLIR Defense is seeking a theoretical physicist with a nuclear physics background to develop new analysis methods and algorithms for radionuclide identification in nuclear security and safeguards scenarios, and to enhance existing methods in legacy products. The physicist will also work with the intellectual property team to help ensure that generated intellectual property is properly protected. The role involves developing and maintaining radionuclide-identification software, creating physics-based models and simulation frameworks for radiation detection systems, and collaborating with engineering teams to transition research into deployable products. The physicist will contribute to product planning, algorithm and detector testing, technical assessments, publications, and patent-related work. Travel may be required for tradeshows, training events, and conferences. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, legal permanent resident, asylee, or refugee, or be eligible to apply for and obtain the appropriate export control license from the U.S. Departments of State or Commerce.

Requirements

PhD in theoretical physics or a related field.
Familiarity with data analysis, data modeling, and Monte Carlo simulations.
Experience developing software in Python, C++, C, or MATLAB.
Working knowledge of machine learning.
Experience with isotope-identification performance evaluation and test methodologies.
Understanding of nuclear safeguards, nonproliferation, homeland security, or defense applications.
Hands-on laboratory experience incorporating radiation detectors, sources, and data acquisition systems.
Strong verbal, written, and visual communication skills.
Team-oriented attitude.
Ability to work responsibly and independently under minimal supervision.
Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, legal permanent resident, asylee, or refugee, or eligible to apply for and obtain the appropriate export control license from the U.S. Departments of State or Commerce.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience supporting DoD, DHS, DOE, NNSA, IAEA, or other nuclear security organizations.
Experience with Geant4, GADRAS, or MCNP.
Record of peer-reviewed publications, patents, or technical conference presentations.

Responsibilities

Maintain current radionuclide-identification algorithms and software.
Improve nuclide identification, particularly in shielding and masking scenarios.
Research and develop new radioactive nuclide-identification algorithms.
Develop and validate physics-based models for radiation transport, source characterization, and detector response.
Design simulation frameworks for next-generation radiation-detection systems.
Perform uncertainty quantification and sensitivity analysis on detection algorithms.
Collaborate with engineering teams to transition research concepts into deployable products.
Support product roadmap development through technical assessments of emerging technologies.
Participate in verification, validation, and performance testing of new algorithms and detector systems.
Generate invention disclosures and support patent application development.
Perform technical assessments of competitive technologies and prior art.
Contribute to the company's long-term intellectual property strategy.
Generate topical papers for select conferences, such as IEEE and SORMA.