Hoffman Postdoctoral Fellowship

The NextGen Nonproliferation Leadership Development Program at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) is looking for exceptional Postdoctoral Fellows to join our fundamental research mission in service of nuclear nonproliferation. Postdoctoral Fellows will be brought to Berkeley Lab under the newly-established Darleane C. Hoffman Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship, which is tailored for the next generation of scientific leaders who will push the boundaries of science in service of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration’s nonproliferation mission. 

Hoffman Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellows will be responsible for conducting experimental, computational, and/or theoretical work in scientific fields related to nuclear nonproliferation. They will be involved in all aspects of the research, including developing hypotheses, conceiving and performing novel experiments, interpreting experiment and theory results, and ultimately reporting findings as formal presentations and refereed journal papers. In addition, they will participate in Career Development programming and Scientific Leadership courses, with the intent to prepare them for a leading science career within the DOE Complex.

The Nonproliferation Stewardship Program (NSP) within DOE NNSA’s Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation Research and Development (DNN R&D, aka, NA-22) Office is sponsoring Hoffman Fellows through a Next-Generation Leadership Development Program (NextGen). The NextGen program is operated through a partnership between Berkeley Lab’s Career Development Office, Glenn T. Seaborg Center, and the Office of National Homeland Security (ONHS).

What You Will Do:

• Conceive, develop, and perform novel hypothesis-based experimental and/or theoretical work in scientific fields related to nuclear nonproliferation.
• Use and maintain existing equipment and facilities.
• Effectively and quickly interpret complex experimental results, and promptly adjust research plans accordingly.
• Exhibit excellent scientific communication skills, including in the preparation of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals and oral presentations at scientific meetings and conferences.
• Effectively communicate and interact with colleagues and collaborators, including both experimentalists and theorists, as well as other research groups at LBNL and UC Berkeley Campus.
• Contribute to high safety standards and infrastructure of Berkeley Lab.
• Actively participate in group seminars and project meetings.
• Actively participate in career and professional development activities within Berkeley Lab.
• Participate in Career Development, Scientific Leadership, and Nuclear Nonproliferation programming, as tailored by Berkeley Lab for the NextGen Nonproliferation Leadership Development Program.
• Technical background in fields of science related to nuclear nonproliferation, including but not limited to analytical, physical, theoretical, or nuclear chemistry, radiochemistry, nuclear engineering, nuclear physics, radiation detection, AI/ML, and QIS.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

What is Required:

• Ph.D. in chemistry, physics, material sciences, engineering, or a related discipline, with no more than 3 years of previous postdoctoral experience.
• Demonstrated record of superior academic accomplishment and achievement documented by scientific publications and presentations.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. DOE Q-level security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship and be prepared to provide required information and documents should they be selected as a potential fellow.
• Evidence of ability to work as an independent researcher with a high level of scientific judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to perform work in a safe manner, and full accord with all applicable regulations and guidelines.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and effectively communicate with colleagues and peers within a diverse research team.
• Interest in nuclear nonproliferation research and development.

Required Application Materials:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover letter - briefly describing the candidate’s background, previous research experience as it relates to NextGen research areas, their interest in the nuclear nonproliferation mission of the US government, their career to date, and their long-range career goals.
• Summary of Ph.D. thesis (1 page)
• Two letters of recommendation - Applicants should submit at least two letters of recommendation from a professional contact. Ideally, one or both of your professional recommendations will come from a current or former direct supervisor. Academic recommendations are also welcomed.

Notes:

• For full consideration, please apply by January 31, 2025.
• This is a full-time 2-year, postdoctoral appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance, continuing availability of funds, and ongoing operational needs. You must have less than 3 years of paid postdoctoral experience.
• This position is represented by a union for collective bargaining purposes.
• The annual salary for this position is $110,000.
• This position may be 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 will be primarily performed at: Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, 1 Cyclotron Road, Berkeley, CA.
• 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.

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Berkeley Lab (LBNL) addresses the world’s most urgent scientific challenges by advancing sustainable energy, protecting human health, creating new materials, and revealing the origin and fate of the universe. Founded in 1931, Berkeley Lab’s scientific expertise has been recognized with 16 Nobel prizes. The University of California manages Berkeley Lab for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science.

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