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Postdoctoral Appointee - Nuclear Theory

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Postdoctoral Appointee - Nuclear Theory

Argonne National Laboratory logoArgonne National Laboratory
Lemont, USA
Deadline: 2026-11-20
Posted: Oct 25, 2026

NL Highlights

Conduct advanced research in nuclear theory, focusing on QCD/hadron physics and nuclear structure/reactions.
Utilize cutting-edge computational techniques, including artificial intelligence and quantum information science.
Collaborate within a dynamic research group and contribute to significant national projects and topical collaborations.

Details

Salary & Funding

$72,879.00-$121,465.00

Duration

2 years, with the possibility of one additional year

Contact Info

icloet@anl.gov

Eligibility

Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in theoretical physics or a related field
No more than 5 years of postdoctoral experience
Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

Next Steps

1
Complete the application herein
2
Email a curriculum vitae and a brief (around one page) statement of research interests to icloet@anl.gov
3
Arrange for three letters of recommendation to be emailed to icloet@anl.gov

Opportunity Overview

Postdoctoral Appointee - Nuclear Theory

The Theory Group in the Physics Division at Argonne National Laboratory is seeking candidates for postdoctoral positions in nuclear theory, to begin as early as Spring 2027.

Duration

The positions are for two years, with the possibility of one additional year contingent upon funding and performance. Applications received by November 20, 2026 will receive our fullest consideration.

Research Group

The Theory Group has four staff members [Ian Clo t, Alessandro Lovato, Anna McCoy, and Yong Zhao] and several postdocs and students. The group has a broad research program in QCD/hadron physics and nuclear structure/reactions, with an emphasis on using artificial intelligence and quantum information science. The group has access to extensive laboratory and national computational resources and collaborates closely with computational scientists in other divisions, including Mathematics and Computer Science (MCS) and the Argonne Leadership Computing Facility (ALCF).

Current Projects

The group has significant involvement in three SciDAC-5 projects:

  1. Femtoscale Imaging of Nuclei using Exascale Platforms

  2. Fundamental nuclear physics at exascale and beyond

  3. Nuclear Computational Low Energy Initiative (NUCLEI); two Genesis Mission projects: 1) Lattice QCD at the Intelligence Frontier (Phase II), and 2) AI-Enabled Optimization of Quantum Circuit Design for Realistic Nuclear Problems (Phase I); and two Topical Collaborations: 1) 3D quark-gluon structure of hadrons: mass, spin, and tomography, and 2) Nuclear Theory for New Physics.

Further information on our group and its research activities can be found at www.anl.gov/phy/theory.

Application Process

Interested applicants should complete the following three steps:

  1. Complete the application herein.
  2. Email a curriculum vitae and a brief (around one page) statement of research interests to Ian Clo t (icloet@anl.gov).
  3. Arrange for three letters of recommendation to be emailed to the same address.

Contact Information

Any questions about the position may be sent to Ian Clo t (icloet@anl.gov).

Position Requirements

  • Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in theoretical physics or a related field (Completed prior to the start date of the postdoctoral position and no more than 5 years of postdoctoral experience)
  • Ability to model Argonne s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

We are seeking a wide candidate pool so welcome applications from all those interested that broadly meet these criteria.

Job Details

Job Family: Postdoctoral Job Profile: Postdoctoral Appointee Worker Type: Long-Term (Fixed Term) Time Type: Full time

Salary & Benefits

The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00.

Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

Click here to view Argonne employee benefits!

Equal Employment Opportunity

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Additional Information

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.