ALS Radiation Physicist

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab’s (LBNL) Advanced Light Source (ALS) Division has an opening for a Radiation Physicist to join the team.

The ALS is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science national scientific user facility whose excellent scientific reputation, expert staff, and capabilities in the soft x-ray, hard x-ray, and infrared regimes attract approximately 2,000 academic and industrial users each year in disciplines spanning physical, chemical, materials, biological, energy, and Earth sciences. It is one of five Berkeley Lab user facilities that serve a combined 11,000 users annually. The co-location of these user facilities – including the Molecular Foundry Nanoscale Science Research Center and the NERSC scientific computing center, as well as Berkeley Lab's outstanding programs in materials and chemical sciences among others – offers a prime environment for collaborative science. The ALS has been a global leader in soft x-ray science for more than two decades and is currently undergoing a major upgrade (ALS-U) that will endow the facility with state-of-the-art x-ray capabilities. It's an exciting time to join our team!

The core values of the ALS reflect a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We seek candidates who will support a culture in which the entire ALS community feels welcomed and valued. An ongoing commitment to recruiting a vibrant, diverse and talented workforce is paramount to promoting a diverse lab community.

As a Radiation Physicist at the Advanced Light Source, this position will be responsible for carrying out high impact assignments requiring significant experience with radiation physics at particle accelerators, with the expectation of rapid turnaround. The primary roles and responsibilities of this position involve calculation of radiological quantities, shielding design, beamline and accelerator review, and operational procedures for the ALS and for its planned upgrade (ALS-U). This position reports to the ALS Lead Radiation Physicist. Additionally, in collaboration with the LBNL Radiation Protection Group, the Radiation Physicist may be called on to provide adept technical and operational support to the LBNL radiation safety programs.

What You Will Do:
The Level 3 Responsibilities:

• Conduct, with minimal supervision, radiological risk assessments and design of protective measures to minimize radiation exposure of people and of the environment
• Execute radiation calculations both for upgrades to existing facilities and for the design of new components for new facilities
• Specify requirements for shielding of accelerators and beamlines
• Review and approve modifications to shielding of accelerators and beamlines
• Contribute to the design of the ALS Radiation Safety Systems
• Support the development of the accelerator and beamline design, supervising the development of synchrotron and Bremsstrahlung ray trace drawings for new/modified beamlines and accelerators
• Contribute to the radiation monitoring program at the ALS by designing and performing radiation surveys
• Improve safety of accelerator operations by monitoring and interpreting data from the ALS radiation monitoring system and radiation surveys
• Work jointly with accelerator engineers in the design of equipment and shielding to minimize radiation damage
• Collaborate in research and development activities in health/radiation physics in support of the ALS and LBNL mission and publish results
• Take part in the Integrated Safety Management (ISM) analysis of experiments conducted by ALS staff and users
• Contribute to ALS Review Committees (Accelerator Review Committee, Beamline Review Committee, Technical Review Committee, ALARA Subcommittee, ALS Radiation Safety Committee)
• Participate in reviews of incidents involving radiation-associated events, components, and procedures

The Level 4 Responsibilities:

• Develop and direct activities within the ALS Radiation Safety program
• Manage and provide oversight of all operational radiation safety aspects
• Be a strong presence in configuration control management
• Take a leading role in radiation-safety policy making at the ALS and in working groups across peer labs
• Propose and lead research activities in the field of Radiation Physics

Additional Responsibilities as needed:

• Review ALS procedures
• Contribute to the ALS training program
• Serve on ALS Division committees and working groups as appropriate to your skills and Division needs
• Serve on Lab-wide committees and working groups as appropriate to your skills and Lab needs.

What is Required:

• PhD in Radiation Physics, Nuclear Engineering or related fields or the equivalent work experience
• 4-7 years (7-10 years for Level 4) of experience working in an accelerator environment, including demonstrated experience with shielding design, activation calculations, and radiation safety systems
• Demonstrated in-depth experience dealing with Monte Carlo radiation generation and transport codes (FLUKA, MARS15, MCNP, PHITS, etc.)
• In-depth knowledge of radiological hazard analysis and shielding design methods
• Knowledge of applicable radiation protection regulations and requirements
• Knowledge of theory and operation of radiation monitoring equipment
• Experience in dealing with technical, operational, scientific and administrative staff, preferably at a national laboratory
• Experience working with scientific staff, technical staff, and with people from diverse geographic backgrounds
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with all constituents including senior internal and external stakeholders and customers
• Proven excellent organization and multi-tasking skills, and ability to work in a fast-paced environment to independently establish priorities and perform multiple projects simultaneously
• Demonstrated ability to work independently
• Demonstrated excellent initiative and ability to plan, anticipate and identify needs, assess and resolve complex problems, and develop and coordinate plans to accomplish objectives
• Advanced verbal and written communication skills to clearly and effectively communicate with divisional leaders, managers, staff, and other stakeholders. Demonstrated skills to develop organization-level and other high-impact communications and presentations
• Flexibility to perform other duties as assigned/needed. 

Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience at a DOE national lab

The position will remain open until filled.

Notes:

• This is a full-time career appointment, exempt (monthly paid) from overtime pay.
• This position will be filled at a Level 3 or 4 depending on the skills, knowledge, and experience of the candidate.
• 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.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

Based on University of California Policy - SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Vaccination Program and U.S Federal Government requirements, Berkeley Lab requires that all members of our community obtain the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as they are eligible. As a condition of employment at Berkeley Lab, all Covered Individuals must Participate in the COVID-19 Vaccination Program by providing proof of Full Vaccination or submitting a request for Exception or Deferral. Visit covid.lbl.gov for more information.

Berkeley Lab is committed to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accountability (IDEA) and strives to continue building community with these shared values and commitments. Berkeley Lab is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We heartily welcome applications from women, minorities, veterans, and all who would contribute to the Lab's mission of leading scientific discovery, inclusion, and professionalism. In support of our diverse 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, or protected veteran status.

Equal Opportunity and IDEA Information Links:
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