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
The Brookhaven National Laboratory Physics Department has an opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PRA) in the Computing Group, affiliated with the Rikagaku Kenkyūsho Institute of Physical and Chemical Research (RIKEN). The RIKEN BNL Research Center is part of Brookhaven's Nuclear & Particle Physics Directorate. The Computing Group has active & broad programs including studies of the strong dynamics of quark-gluon, hadron physics including sPHENIX, and Electron-Ion Collider (EIC) physics, non-perturbative analysis methods of quantum field theories, algorithm & super high-performance computing in high energy nuclear physics. Members of the group are also interested in artificial intelligence & machine learning (AI/ML), in addition to Quantum Computing studies. A successful candidate will have opportunities to collaborate with members of neighboring groups which include the BNL High Energy Theory Group, BNL Nuclear Theory Group, &, RIKEN BNL Columbia University Collaboration. The successful candidate will work under the direction of Taku Izubuchi, Group Leader of the RIKEN BNL Research Center Computing Group.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Studies and developments in Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) computations & related subjects (such as high-performance computing, quantum computing, machine learning etc.), possibly collaborating with members of neighboring BNL groups, national laboratories & universities.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
The position requires a Ph.D. in Theoretical Elementary Particle Physics, High Energy Theory or Nuclear Physics Theory
Expertise and knowledge of lattice quantum field theory and hadron physics
Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of field theory, hadron physics, particle phenomenology, & nuclear physics
Knowledge of algorithms (e.g. sparse linear system, Markov Chain Monte Carlo, multi grid) in high performance computing.
Experience in developing high performance computing software
Machine learning
Quantum computing
OTHER INFORMATION:
The chosen candidate will be hired for an initial term of two years, with a third year possible, subject to performance & funding availability.
Review of applications will begin immediately with a submission deadline of November 29, 2025.
Starting date is flexible: from January 2, 2026, to October 30, 2026.
While the position is based at BNL in Upton, NY, domestic & international travel may be required.
BNL policy requires that after obtaining a PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc &/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.
Candidates must have received a Ph.D. by the commencement of employment.
In your electronic application submission, please include (in one pdf document) a cover letter, curriculum vitae, publication list, & a brief description of research interests.
Brookhaven National Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $78500 - $81500 / 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 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
Brookhaven Science Associates is an equal opportunity employer that values inclusion and diversity at our Lab. We are committed to ensuring that all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a veteran, disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. BSA takes affirmative action in support of its policy and to advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. 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