STEM OPT Health Physicist Jobs
Health Physicist roles in radiation safety, nuclear medicine, and environmental monitoring qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension under CIP codes in physics and health sciences. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, a requirement enforced by ICE for all STEM OPT participants. A STEM degree in physics, radiological sciences, or a closely related field makes you eligible.
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The Argonne Wakefield Accelerator (AWA) Group, within the High Energy Physics (HEP) Division at Argonne National Laboratory, invites applications for an Assistant Physicist position in accelerator science and technology. The successful candidate will contribute to a dynamic research program spanning experimental, computational, and theoretical accelerator physics.
The AWA’s mission is to advance the research and development necessary to enable the next generation of particle accelerators. Its program includes the development of beam-driven wakefield acceleration, the generation of high-brightness electron beams, and the implementation of novel beam manipulation techniques for precise electron-beam shaping.
The AWA facility features multiple RF photocathode electron beamlines, including a 70 MeV linear accelerator with beam shaping capabilities, a 15 MeV linear accelerator, a 3 MeV cathode test stand, and a large experimental switchyard dedicated to advanced accelerator R&D. The AWA has played a pioneering role in the development of beam-driven structure wakefield acceleration (SWFA).
The AWA Group conducts hands-on, leading-edge research across a broad range of accelerator R&D areas, including:
- Advanced acceleration concepts
- Machine learning applications for accelerators
- Beam physics and accelerator technologies
- High-gradient RF structures
- Novel diagnostics
- Advanced cathode development
Over the next five years, the AWA will expand its efforts in machine learning for beam control and virtual diagnostics and carry out key SWFA demonstration experiments, including a collinear wakefield energy doubler and a 500 MeV two-beam accelerator. These efforts support the development of future linear colliders, soft X-ray light sources, and compact accelerator systems.
The group maintains a highly collaborative, hands-on research environment, combining in-house staff-led programs with a closely integrated collaborator-driven research portfolio.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and conduct experiments in AWA’s core research areas, including beam manipulation, two-beam acceleration, high-brightness beam generation, and accelerator instrumentation
- Develop new accelerator capabilities through beam dynamics modeling, diagnostics development, accelerator optimization, and commissioning of new hardware and beamlines
- Apply simulation, controls, and data analysis tools to support accelerator operations and experimental programs
- Contribute to collaborative research efforts and help mentor students and junior researchers
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Ph.D. in Physics, Accelerator Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated experience designing and conducting experiments at particle accelerator facilities
- Strong knowledge of accelerator beam dynamics and charged-particle beam physics
- Experience with accelerator modeling and simulation tools for beam and beamline design
- Experience with accelerator diagnostics, instrumentation, or beam characterization techniques
- Demonstrated programming experience in scientific computing and data analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar)
- Experience operating or commissioning accelerator systems or major accelerator subsystems
- Demonstrated ability to implement machine learning/artificial intelligence techniques in an accelerator environment
- The ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and with external collaborators
- Demonstrated ability to develop independent research ideas and lead technical projects
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the preparation of publications and technical reports
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- A commitment to fostering a safe, collaborative, and inclusive research environment
- Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- RF photoinjectors, electron sources, laser systems, or RF systems
- Beam manipulation, emittance optimization, bunch shaping, or phase-space control
- Free-electron lasers, wakefield acceleration, advanced accelerator concepts, or related applications
- Accelerator controls, automation, or machine learning for accelerator optimization
- Development or commissioning of new accelerator diagnostics or experimental hardware
JOB FAMILY
Research Development (RD)
JOB PROFILE
Physics 2
WORKER TYPE
Regular
TIME TYPE
Full time
The expected hiring range for this position is $94,486.00 - $147,398.94.
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!
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.
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.
INTRODUCTION
The Argonne Wakefield Accelerator (AWA) Group, within the High Energy Physics (HEP) Division at Argonne National Laboratory, invites applications for an Assistant Physicist position in accelerator science and technology. The successful candidate will contribute to a dynamic research program spanning experimental, computational, and theoretical accelerator physics.
The AWA’s mission is to advance the research and development necessary to enable the next generation of particle accelerators. Its program includes the development of beam-driven wakefield acceleration, the generation of high-brightness electron beams, and the implementation of novel beam manipulation techniques for precise electron-beam shaping.
The AWA facility features multiple RF photocathode electron beamlines, including a 70 MeV linear accelerator with beam shaping capabilities, a 15 MeV linear accelerator, a 3 MeV cathode test stand, and a large experimental switchyard dedicated to advanced accelerator R&D. The AWA has played a pioneering role in the development of beam-driven structure wakefield acceleration (SWFA).
The AWA Group conducts hands-on, leading-edge research across a broad range of accelerator R&D areas, including:
- Advanced acceleration concepts
- Machine learning applications for accelerators
- Beam physics and accelerator technologies
- High-gradient RF structures
- Novel diagnostics
- Advanced cathode development
Over the next five years, the AWA will expand its efforts in machine learning for beam control and virtual diagnostics and carry out key SWFA demonstration experiments, including a collinear wakefield energy doubler and a 500 MeV two-beam accelerator. These efforts support the development of future linear colliders, soft X-ray light sources, and compact accelerator systems.
The group maintains a highly collaborative, hands-on research environment, combining in-house staff-led programs with a closely integrated collaborator-driven research portfolio.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Design and conduct experiments in AWA’s core research areas, including beam manipulation, two-beam acceleration, high-brightness beam generation, and accelerator instrumentation
- Develop new accelerator capabilities through beam dynamics modeling, diagnostics development, accelerator optimization, and commissioning of new hardware and beamlines
- Apply simulation, controls, and data analysis tools to support accelerator operations and experimental programs
- Contribute to collaborative research efforts and help mentor students and junior researchers
POSITION REQUIREMENTS
- Ph.D. in Physics, Accelerator Science, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field
- Demonstrated experience designing and conducting experiments at particle accelerator facilities
- Strong knowledge of accelerator beam dynamics and charged-particle beam physics
- Experience with accelerator modeling and simulation tools for beam and beamline design
- Experience with accelerator diagnostics, instrumentation, or beam characterization techniques
- Demonstrated programming experience in scientific computing and data analysis (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar)
- Experience operating or commissioning accelerator systems or major accelerator subsystems
- Demonstrated ability to implement machine learning/artificial intelligence techniques in an accelerator environment
- The ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and with external collaborators
- Demonstrated ability to develop independent research ideas and lead technical projects
- Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the preparation of publications and technical reports
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- A commitment to fostering a safe, collaborative, and inclusive research environment
- Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- RF photoinjectors, electron sources, laser systems, or RF systems
- Beam manipulation, emittance optimization, bunch shaping, or phase-space control
- Free-electron lasers, wakefield acceleration, advanced accelerator concepts, or related applications
- Accelerator controls, automation, or machine learning for accelerator optimization
- Development or commissioning of new accelerator diagnostics or experimental hardware
JOB FAMILY
Research Development (RD)
JOB PROFILE
Physics 2
WORKER TYPE
Regular
TIME TYPE
Full time
The expected hiring range for this position is $94,486.00 - $147,398.94.
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!
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.
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.
See all STEM OPT Health Physicist Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization in Health Physicist
Verify your CIP code matches physics
Check that your degree's CIP code falls under 40.08 (Physics) or 51.2205 (Health and Medical Physics) before filing your STEM OPT extension. A mismatched CIP code is the most common reason DSOs reject I-983 training plans for Health Physicist roles.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting offers
Ask your prospective employer for their E-Verify Company ID number and cross-check it against the E-Verify employer search before signing anything. A verbal assurance isn't enough; ICE requires documented enrollment at the time your STEM OPT extension begins.
Target NRC-licensed facilities in your job search
Hospitals, nuclear power plants, and federal research labs operating under Nuclear Regulatory Commission licenses routinely hire Health Physicists and are more likely to have established STEM OPT onboarding processes. Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers with verified E-Verify status in those sectors.
Build an I-983 training plan around dosimetry or shielding projects
Generic training plans get rejected. Tie your I-983 goals to measurable outcomes specific to your role, such as quarterly radiation survey completion rates or shielding design reviews, so your DSO and employer can sign off without back-and-forth revisions.
Check prevailing wage requirements using OFLC Wage Search
Employers filing an LCA for any future H-1B visa transition must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code (19-4051, Nuclear Technicians, or 29-9011, Occupational Health and Safety Specialists). Run OFLC Wage Search by location before negotiating your offer to avoid underpaid positions that complicate visa transitions later.
Submit your STEM OPT extension 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS recommends filing Form I-765 at least 90 days before your current EAD expires. Health Physicist roles often require background checks and security clearance processing that add weeks to your start date, so a late filing can leave you unauthorized before your role actually begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my degree qualify me for the STEM OPT extension as a Health Physicist?
Your degree qualifies if it falls under an approved STEM CIP code, most commonly 40.0801 (Physics, General), 51.2205 (Health and Medical Physics), or 40.0804 (Nuclear Physics). Check the DHS STEM Designated Degree Program list against your exact CIP code, which appears on your transcripts and I-20. Your DSO can confirm eligibility before you file your I-765 with USCIS.
Is E-Verify enrollment mandatory for Health Physicist employers hiring STEM OPT students?
Yes, without exception. Any employer hiring you under a STEM OPT extension must be enrolled in E-Verify before your extension start date. This applies to all employers, including federal contractors, hospitals, and private nuclear facilities, regardless of company size. You can verify enrollment through the E-Verify employer search tool before accepting an offer. ICE can terminate your STEM OPT authorization if your employer is not properly enrolled.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Health Physicist position?
Your I-983 must list specific, measurable learning objectives tied to your STEM degree. For Health Physicist roles, that means documenting goals such as performing radiation surveys, calibrating dosimetry equipment, reviewing shielding designs, or analyzing environmental monitoring data. Vague goals like 'gain professional experience' will prompt your DSO to request revisions. Both you and your employer's authorized representative must sign the plan before your DSO can update your SEVIS record.
How does cap-gap protection affect me if I'm applying for H-1B while working as a Health Physicist on STEM OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT EAD expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap protection automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of the fiscal year in which H-1B status begins. You can continue working as a Health Physicist during this gap without interruption, provided your employer filed before your EAD expired and USCIS has a valid receipt on record.
Where can I find Health Physicist jobs with employers already enrolled in E-Verify?
Migrate Mate lists Health Physicist roles from employers with verified E-Verify enrollment, so you don't have to manually confirm eligibility for each application. The platform surfaces positions in radiation safety, nuclear medicine, and environmental monitoring that align with STEM OPT requirements. You can filter by role type and employer verification status to focus your search on positions where your work authorization will be accepted without complications.