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Contract Physicist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Arcfield

Mid-Level Physicist

Colorado Springs, CO · On-site

Responsibilities The physicist will perform scientific analysis and computational modeling to ... Contract Wage Determination, relevant work experience, skills and competencies that align to the ...

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

$74K/yr

... or provides contract technical direction to programs of considerable breadth, diversity and ... physics and space weather application. 2. Knowledge of optical and laser technology in order to ...

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How much do contract physicist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract physicist in the United States is $94,805.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,000.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract physicist?

Contract physicists are professionals who work on a temporary or project-by-project basis rather than as permanent employees. They apply their expertise in physics to solve specific problems, conduct research, or provide consulting services for various organizations, such as research institutions, private companies, or government agencies. Their work can involve experimental or theoretical physics and often requires adapting to different projects, environments, and teams. Contract physicists typically negotiate the terms and length of their engagements, which can offer flexibility and diverse experiences.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a contract physicist?

A Contract Physicist should possess a solid background in physics, analytical problem-solving abilities, and at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in physics or a related field. Familiarity with simulation software, laboratory equipment, and data analysis tools like MATLAB or Python is often required. Strong communication, adaptability, and project management skills help them excel in diverse, client-driven environments. These skills ensure precise project delivery, effective collaboration, and the ability to address complex scientific challenges on a contract basis.

What are common challenges faced by contract physicists, and how can they be addressed?

Contract physicists often encounter challenges such as adapting quickly to new projects, managing multiple client expectations, and staying updated with the latest research. Since they may work with diverse teams across different organizations, strong communication and time management skills are essential. Building a robust professional network and keeping up with advancements in their field can help contract physicists secure new opportunities and remain competitive. Proactively seeking feedback and clarifying project goals early on also greatly improves project outcomes.

What is the difference between Contract Physicist vs Research Physicist?

AspectContract PhysicistResearch Physicist
CredentialsTypically requires a PhD in Physics or related fieldTypically requires a PhD in Physics or related field
Work EnvironmentProject-based, temporary assignments, often freelance or consultingPermanent or long-term research positions in labs or academia
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, private companies, consulting firmsUniversities, research institutes, corporate R&D
Work FocusApplying physics to specific projects, often with deliverablesAdvancing scientific knowledge, publishing research

Contract Physicists typically work on short-term projects for various clients, focusing on applying physics skills to meet specific goals. Research Physicists usually hold permanent positions dedicated to scientific discovery and publishing. Both roles require advanced degrees, but their work environments and objectives differ significantly.

Is being a contract physicist a high paying job?

Contract physicists can earn competitive wages, often depending on their level of expertise, specialization, and the industry they work in, such as research, defense, or technology. Compensation may vary significantly based on project scope, experience, and the duration of contracts, with some roles offering higher pay for specialized skills or security clearances.
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Cities with the most Contract Physicist job openings:

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The most popular types of Physicist jobs are:

What states have the most Contract Physicist jobs?

States with the most job openings for Contract Physicist jobs include:

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Contract Physicist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Physicist job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 11% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,805 per year, or $45.6 per hour.

ASKUSR0144872 - Radiation Physicist / Radiation Protection Engineer

Essnova Solutions, Inc.

Berkeley, CA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

Radiation Physicist / Radiation Protection Engineer – Advanced Light Source Upgrade (ALS-U)

Location: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) – Berkeley, CA
Project: Advanced Light Source Upgrade (ALS-U)
Contract Environment: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Anticipated Period of Performance: Approximately 3 years, beginning upon contract award and continuing through completion of ALS-U Dark Time activities

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Radiation Physicist / Radiation Protection Engineer to provide professional radiation physics consulting services in support of the Advanced Light Source Upgrade (ALS-U) Project at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

The successful candidate will provide technical expertise supporting accelerator, beamline, and associated facility systems throughout design, procurement, fabrication, installation, testing, commissioning, and operational readiness.

This position will perform radiation physics and radiation protection engineering activities including radiation shielding evaluations, radiation transport analyses, ALARA evaluations, radiological hazard assessments, technical and design reviews, field assessments, and radiation safety support.

Key Responsibilities
  • Provide radiation protection engineering expertise for ALS-U systems and facilities.
  • Perform and/or review radiation shielding evaluations.
  • Perform radiation transport analyses.
  • Conduct ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) evaluations and planning.
  • Participate in radiation protection design reviews.
  • Evaluate radiological hazards associated with accelerator systems and experimental equipment.
  • Provide technical recommendations supporting engineering and design decisions.
  • Perform accelerator radiation safety evaluations throughout the project lifecycle.
  • Support safety-basis documentation.
  • Review accelerator modifications and evaluate proposed changes for potential radiological impacts.
  • Support configuration-management activities affecting radiation safety.
  • Participate in technical reviews of engineering drawings, specifications, design packages, procurement documentation, installation plans, test procedures, operating procedures, and readiness documentation.
  • Perform or support radiological hazard assessments for project work.
  • Evaluate potential worker radiation exposure.
  • Review work-planning documentation and recommend appropriate engineering and administrative controls.
  • Develop, review, and revise radiation protection documentation, including technical reports, engineering calculations, procedures, technical basis documents, engineering memoranda, design-review comments, compliance documentation, and lessons learned.
  • Provide field support during installation, testing, commissioning, and operational readiness activities.
  • Conduct walkdowns and field observations and assist with resolution of technical radiation-protection issues.
  • Evaluate changing field conditions and provide recommendations supporting safe execution of work.
  • Support compliance with applicable federal, DOE, LBNL, and ALS-U requirements.
  • Participate in DOE reviews and independent assessments.
  • Prepare technical presentations, review materials, responses, corrective actions, and supporting documentation.
  • Coordinate with the ALS-U Project Office, Engineering, Quality Assurance, Procurement, EH&S, Systems Engineering, and other project stakeholders.

Requirements

Required Qualifications
  • Master's degree or higher in Health Physics, Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Radiation Physics, or a closely related scientific or engineering discipline; or an equivalent combination of advanced education and directly relevant professional experience.
  • 5+ years of progressively responsible professional experience in radiation physics, health physics, radiation protection, accelerator radiation safety, or a closely related technical field.
  • Demonstrated experience performing radiation shielding evaluations and/or radiation transport analyses for accelerator, beamline, nuclear, research, industrial, or other complex radiation-generating systems.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of radiological hazard assessment and radiation-protection principles, including application of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principles.
  • Experience evaluating radiation hazards associated with the design, installation, testing, commissioning, modification, or operation of complex technical systems or facilities.
  • Experience developing or reviewing technical radiation-safety documentation, including shielding calculations, radiation analyses, hazard assessments, procedures, technical-basis documents, compliance documentation, or technical reports.
  • Experience interpreting and applying applicable radiation-protection regulations, standards, and technical requirements.
  • Ability to independently perform complex technical evaluations and provide defensible radiation-protection recommendations to engineering, project, safety, and technical stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate complex radiation-physics concepts and technical findings effectively to multidisciplinary engineering, scientific, project-management, and safety teams.
Strongly Preferred Qualifications
  • Direct professional experience supporting an accelerator, synchrotron light source, particle accelerator, beamline, nuclear facility, Department of Energy facility, or National Laboratory.
  • 5+ years of accelerator radiation shielding and/or accelerator radiation-protection experience.
  • Experience with Monte Carlo radiation-transport modeling, such as FLUKA, Geant4, MCNP, or comparable computational tools.
  • Knowledge and practical application of 10 CFR 835, DOE-STD-1098, DOE O 420.2D, and other applicable DOE radiation-protection or accelerator-safety requirements.
  • Experience performing radiation-physics evaluations for accelerator and beamline shielding, penetrations, radiation-generating devices, access-control systems, or radiation safety systems.
  • Experience supporting engineering and design reviews, including review of drawings, specifications, equipment designs, shielding configurations, installation plans, and test or commissioning procedures.
  • Experience supporting accelerator commissioning, radiation measurements, readiness reviews, operational readiness activities, or facility authorization.
  • Experience developing or maintaining formal radiation-protection programs, technical-basis documents, or facility radiation-safety requirements.
  • Experience interacting with DOE, regulatory authorities, independent reviewers, or external technical review teams.
  • Previous experience within the DOE National Laboratory complex.
  • Certification by the American Board of Health Physics (CHP) or eligibility for certification is highly desirable.
Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate combines a strong radiation-physics or radiation-protection engineering background with practical experience supporting complex technical facilities.

Experience within accelerator, national laboratory, DOE, nuclear, high-energy physics, research facility, or similarly regulated environments would be particularly relevant to the ALS-U mission.

The individual should be comfortable moving between analytical engineering work and field execution—from performing shielding and transport analyses and reviewing technical designs to conducting field walkdowns and supporting installation, testing, commissioning, and readiness activities.