The Instrumentation Department at Brookhaven National Laboratory develops state-of-the-art instrumentation to enable forefront experimental research programs. The department maintains expertise
and facilities in specialized high-technology areas, including radiation detectors, advanced sensor systems, and readout electronics. Its work supports major scientific initiatives at BNL and has broad impact on national and international programs that rely on cutting-edge instrumentation.
Position Description
The Research Scientist 2 (RS2) will contribute to the development of advanced instrumentation systems for scientific and national security applications within the Instrumentation Department. The candidate will engage in the full lifecycle of detector development, including modeling and simulation, system design, experimental characterization, and data analysis. This role emphasizes integration of simulation and experimental workflows to enable the development of novel, multipurpose detection systems.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
· Conduct independent research in the development of radiation and optical detection systems, including semiconductor and scintillator-based technologies.
· Develop and apply modeling and simulation tools to inform detector design and interpret experimental results.
· Design, build, and operate experimental setups for detector characterization and validation.
· Integrate detector systems with data acquisition, control, and analysis frameworks.
· Execute end-to-end development workflows linking simulation, prototyping, and experimental validation.
· Contribute to development of cross-cutting instrumentation applicable to fundamental science, national security, and applied domains.
· Independently plan and execute small research projects while contributing to larger multi-institutional efforts.
· Analyze complex datasets and translate results into improved detector performance.
· Collaborate with internal and external partners across DOE laboratories, universities, and agencies.
· Contribute to technical reports, publications, and funding proposals
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
· PhD in physics, nuclear engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field
· Experience in radiation detection systems and detector physics
· Demonstrated experience in both modeling/simulation and experimental characterization
· Experience with data acquisition systems, instrumentation control, and data analysis
· Ability to work across the full detector development lifecycle
· Strong problem-solving skills and ability to develop innovative technical solutions
· Effective communication and collaboration skills
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
· Experience with semiconductor detectors (e.g., HPGe, silicon detectors)
· Experience with radiation transport simulation tools (e.g., Geant4)
· Background in neutrino, nuclear, or particle physics instrumentation
· Familiarity with national security or nonproliferation applications
· Experience in DOE laboratory environments or large collaborations
· Experience integrating simulation and experimental design (model-experiment feedback loop)
· Experience contributing to proposal development or funded programs
Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements:
· Work in laboratory environments involving electronic equipment, radiation detection systems, and experimental setups
· Adherence to BNL safety protocols and training requirements
· Ability to safely handle instrumentation and laboratory equipment
Other Information:
· This is a 2-year term, full-time position based at Brookhaven National Laboratory
· Work arrangement: on-site
· Some travel may be required for collaboration meetings and experimental work
· The position is supported by a combination of programmatic funding, including contributions from the National Security Program Office and DARPA-supported research activities
· Participation in multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaborations is expected
Candidates must have received a Ph.D. by the commencement of employment.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $97000 - $123000 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to employee success and we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Review more information at BNL | Benefits Program
Brookhaven National Laboratory requires all non-badged personnel including visitors to produce a REAL-ID or REAL-ID compliant documentation to access Brookhaven National Laboratory – view more information at www.bnl.gov/real-id. This is due to nationwide identification requirements for federal site access as required by the federal REAL ID Act. Those not in possession of a REAL ID-compliant document will not be permitted to access the site which includes access to the Laboratory for interviews.
About Us
Brookhaven National Laboratory (www.bnl.gov) delivers discovery science and transformative technology to power and secure the nation’s future. Brookhaven Lab is a multidisciplinary laboratory with seven Nobel Prize-winning discoveries, 37 R&D 100 Awards, and more than 70 years of pioneering research. The Lab is primarily supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Science. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) operates and manages the Laboratory for DOE. BSA is a partnership between Battelle and The Research Foundation for the State University of New York on behalf of Stony Brook University. BSA salutes our veterans and active military members with careers that leverage the skills and unique experience they gained while serving our country, learn more at BNL | Opportunities for Veterans at Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer
Guided by our core values of integrity, responsibility, innovation, respect, and teamwork, Brookhaven Science Associates is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer-Vets/Disabled. We are committed to fostering a respectful and collaborative environment that fuels scientific discovery. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any characteristic protected by law. All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. *VEVRAA Federal Contractor
BSA employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file