Postdoctoral Research Associate - Computational Nuclear Physics

Oak Ridge National Laboratory • Oak Ridge, TN

58d

About The Position

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research associate in computational nuclear physics. This position focuses on nuclear theory with an emphasis on nuclear structure and reactions, as well as nuclear data. The position is part of the nuclear physics team that resides in the Advanced Computing for Nuclear, Particle, and Astrophysics group at the National Center for Computational Sciences, Computing and Computational Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to research in nuclear theory using advanced many-body methods, high-performance computing, and machine learning approaches. The successful candidate will play a leading role in developing computational methods and high-performance algorithms for simulating atomic nuclei, as well as preparing data and using machine learning models for investigating how the properties of atomic nuclei connect to fundamental questions in physics, such as constraining nuclear forces, determining the limits of nuclear stability, and identifying signatures of new physics beyond the Standard Model.

Requirements

• A PhD in Theoretical Physics or a related discipline completed within the last 5 years.
• Experience with High Performance Computing and programming for massively parallel computers.
• Experience with quantum many-body methods.

Nice To Haves

• A strong computational science background.
• Familiarity with coupled-cluster and in-medium similarity renormalization group methods.
• Understanding of application development techniques (numerical methods, solution algorithms, programming models, and software) at scale (large processor/node counts).
• Experience with use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in nuclear physics or related fields.
• A record of productive and creative research as proven by publications in peer-reviewed journals and letters of reference from active practitioners in the field.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience with MPI, OpenMP, parallel I/O (including HDF5), CUDA and/or OpenACC, Fortran, C++, Python.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across DOE laboratories and facilities.
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever-changing needs.

Responsibilities

• Develop formalism, methods, and algorithms for computing properties of nuclei.
• Prepare nuclear data for consumption by machine learning models.
• Investigate the use of machine learning models to compute properties of nuclei using high-performance computing resources.
• Present and report research results and publish scientific results in peer-reviewed journals in a timely manner.
• Ensure compliance program requirements for environmental, safety, health, and quality.
• Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.
• Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees