How to hire a nuclear physicist

How to hire a nuclear physicist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step nuclear physicist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a nuclear physicist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new nuclear physicist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the nuclear physicist you need to hire. Certain nuclear physicist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A nuclear physicist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, nuclear physicists from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list presents nuclear physicist salaries for various positions.

   Type of Nuclear Physicist	Description	Hourly rate
   Nuclear Physicist	Physicists and astronomers study the ways in which various forms of matter and energy interact. Theoretical physicists and astronomers may study the nature of time or the origin of the universe... Show more	$14-70
   Computational Physicist	Computational physicists are professionals who implement numerical analysis and physics functionals in solving problems. The physicists apply knowledge from different disciplines like mathematics, computer science, and statistics for a theory test... Show more	$13-63
   Physicist	Physicists explain the effect of structures, phenomena, and forces on the natural world. Physicists determine and explore the primary principles governing the behavior and structure of matter... Show more	$32-86

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Nuclear Medicine
   • DOE
   • Gamma Cameras
   • DOD
   • MATLAB
   • Data Analysis

   Responsibilities:

   • Participate in successful ACR accreditations.
   • Develop training PowerPoint materials to teach core elements to soldiers using web-base and SharePoint applications.perform site assistance visits to subordinates.
   • Service on review panels for projects at DARPA and NSF.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your nuclear physicist job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A nuclear physicist can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, nuclear physicists' average salary in south dakota is 63% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level nuclear physicists 79% less than senior-level nuclear physicists.
   • Certifications. A nuclear physicist with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a nuclear physicist's salary.

   Average nuclear physicist salary

   $67,213yearly

   $32.31 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level nuclear physicist salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

4. Writing a nuclear physicist job description

   A nuclear physicist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a nuclear physicist job description:

   Nuclear physicist job description example

   Global Engineering & Technology (GET) is seeking a Subject Matter Expert (SME) with expertise in nuclear weapon science to support the Department of Energy's Office of Classification in Germantown, Maryland.
   
   This is a highly compensated position with work performed primarily at the DOE facility in Germantown, Maryland. This long-term position provides relocation support to the Germantown area.
   
   This position will require expert-level knowledge to advise senior DOE management on current technical issues related to subject areas such as nuclear weapon design research or developments relating to improvised nuclear devices
   
   This leadership and policy guidance position requires the ability to lead working groups and develop white papers and presentations
   
   This senior professional prepares classification guidance and classification/declassification policy documents in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, DOE Orders, and DOE Office of Classification procedures for Restricted Data (RD), Formerly Restricted Data (FRD), National Security Information (NSI), and Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information (UCNI), including but not limited to the technical areas described below
   Requirements
   
   Security Clearance:
   
   Candidate MUST be a United States citizen and have a current DoD Top Secret security clearance or DOE Q security clearance
   
   Education and Experience:
   
   Applicant MUST have earned an advanced degree in nuclear engineering or a physical science
   
   Applicant MUST have hands-on nuclear weapon science experience
   
   This position requires excellent writing and verbal communication skills
   
   Minimum of five (5) years' total field experience in the subject area of nuclear weapons is required. Hands-on experience with nuclear weapons-related matters such as any of the following is highly valued:
   
   Computer Codes and Simulation Tools
   
   Nuclear Weapon Design
   
   Weapon Science
   
   Use Control and other surety aspects of nuclear weapons
   
   Knowledge of Improvised Nuclear Devices (INDs)
   
   Advanced understanding of Radiation Exposure Devices and Radiological Dispersal Devices, including their basic science and technological principles
   
   Expert knowledge of programs such as Second Line of Defense to interdict nuclear materials
   
   Hands-on knowledge of computer code development to support the nuclear weapon complex is desirable, as is experience with XML computer language
   
   Experience working with DOE / NNSA / DoD / DHS / NRC and the national nuclear weapon laboratories
   
   The following are also highly valued:
   
   Expertise in Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF)
   
   Experience teaching and developing testing and educational materials for subjects such as IND or ICF is highly desirable
   
   Benefits
   
   We provide exceptional benefits to our full-time employees (spouse/family coverage option is available at a company-subsidized rate).
   
   Benefits include:
   
   Medical plan options with United Health Care
   
   Dental insurance
   
   Long-term and Short-term Disability
   
   Life insurance
   
   AD&D insurance
   
   Generous 401(k) match
   
   All benefits are effective on day one of employment.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find nuclear physicists for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any nuclear physicists they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level nuclear physicists with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your nuclear physicist job on Zippia to find and recruit nuclear physicist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit nuclear physicists, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new nuclear physicist

   Once you've selected the best nuclear physicist candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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