Bruno Rossi Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship in Science and Technology
We are proud to announce the initiation of the Bruno Rossi Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship. Dr. Bruno Rossi was a physicist of exceptional vision and intuition who significantly contributed to our understanding of the universe. He was a pioneer of electronics and diagnostics, applying his expertise in innovative ways to strengthen nuclear weapons testing and deepen our knowledge of cosmic rays. His trailblazing work laid the foundation for much of what we now know in these fields and continues to inspire physicists around the world. This prestigious program, established by the Nevada National Security Sites (NNSS) in his honor, aims to extend his groundbreaking legacy by fostering new talent in the field of experimental nuclear physics and national security research. We invite young scientists who share Dr. Rossi’s passion for discovery, dedication to scientific excellence, and commitment to apply their research to national security.
As a Rossi Fellow, you will be given the unique opportunity to collaborate with leading scientists and engineers on cutting-edge research projects, working with experts from both the NNSS and the National Nuclear Security Administration. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and technology, enabling you to delve deeper into understanding nuclear science and technologies, and how these can be harnessed for national security.
This postdoctoral fellowship is for recent Ph.Ds. (within 5 years of graduation) in the areas of physical science, engineering, computer science and applied mathematics. The candidates shall propose research projects that align with one of the seven thrust areas that serve the NNSS mission:
- Accelerator Beam Science and Target Interactions
- Communications and Computing
- Dynamic Experiment Diagnostics
- Enabling Technologies for Autonomous Systems and Sensing
- Neutron Technologies and Measurements
- Radiographic System Imaging and Analysis
- User-Centered Remote Testing and Operations
This fellowship will rotate among the seven Science and Technology Thrust Areas (STTAs). Although research proposals for the Rossi Fellowship will rotate among the thrust areas that serve the NNSS missions, in this initial year we are requesting proposals that focus on experimental efforts aligning with electron-beam target interactions and/or other accelerator beam physics. Two advanced ABSTI-related testbeds, Scorpius and ZEUS, are currently under construction at the Principal Underground Laboratory for Subcritical Experiments (known as PULSE), and should be operational in the late 2020s or early 2030s.
The length of the term shall be 2 years, with the option to extend into a third year. An application for employment will be required to transition into a full-time position at the end of the term. The candidate will work with an NNSS mentor to ensure they have the support necessary to be successful, in addition to enjoying NNSS’ many competitive employee benefits, including relocation assistance.
Applicants are required to submit:
- A CV
- A detailed research statement
- List of publications
- At least 3 letters of reference
Candidates who reach the pool of finalists will be invited for a two-day interview that includes a technical presentation about their current and proposed research. The presentation and interview must demonstrate excellent communication skills. Applicants must successfully explain specialized topics to a broad interdisciplinary audience.
Interested candidates may submit current resumes to talent@nv.doe.gov until Jan. 2, 2025, after which the full job posting will be made available.
Want to know more about the Scorpius accelerator and our additional underground testbeds? Take a peek at our Learn More about the NNSS video.