Hoffman Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow — Nuclear Nonproliferation

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

What You Will Do

• 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.

What Is Required

• 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.
• Prior nonproliferation research is valued but not required.
• 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.

Required Application Materials

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter addressing:
  • Your background and research experience relevant to the research areas described above;
  • How your expertise could contribute to addressing nuclear nonproliferation challenges;
  • Your interest in a long-term career in nuclear nonproliferation within the DOE national laboratory system, including the laboratory missions that interest you and your willingness to explore opportunities at multiple laboratories and geographic locations after the fellowship;
  • Your long-term career goals and how this fellowship would support them.
• Summary of your Ph.D. thesis (1 page)
• Two letters of recommendation from professional contacts. Ideally, at least one comes from a current or former direct supervisor. Academic recommendations are also welcome.

For full consideration, please apply by January 29, 2027.

Additional information: 

• Appointment type: This is a full-time postdoctoral appointment through December 31, 2029. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience.
• Salary for Postdoctoral positions depends on years of experience post-degree. 
• Salary range: This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes. The annual salary for this position is $110,000.
• Background check: This position is subject to a background check. Any convictions will be evaluated to determine if they directly relate to the responsibilities and requirements of the position. Having a conviction history will not automatically disqualify an applicant from being considered for employment.
• Work modality: Work will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA. A REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification is required to access Berkeley Lab sites (for more information click here).
• This position will be cleared to level Q. Applicants selected will be subject to a Federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information or matter. In addition, all Q cleared employees are subject to random drug testing. If you hold multiple citizenships (U.S. and another country), you may be required to renounce your non-U.S. citizenship before a DOE Q clearance will be processed/granted.

Want to learn more about working at Berkeley Lab? Please visit: careers.lbl.gov

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer: The foundation of Berkeley Lab is our Stewardship Values: Team Science, Service, Trust, Innovation, and Respect; and we strive to build community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We heartily welcome applications from all who could contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, excellence, and professionalism. In support of our rich global community, all qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories under State and Federal law.

Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts an offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of substantiated misconduct with a previous employer. For additional information, click here.