Aobo Li

The Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute at the University of California San Diego is seeking a postdoctoral scholar to advance agentic ML for nuclear physics . The project is centered on building next-generation LLM-agent systems for scientific discovery, especially for dark matter and neutrino research. The scholar will work with a group engaged in major international experiments, including LEGEND , KamLAND-Zen , XLZD , and a quantum-enabled lumped element axion haloscope. The research aims to embed agentic AI more deeply into physics discovery workflows and to accelerate key stages of experimental and data-analysis pipelines. The position builds on the group’s SIDERIUS framework for long-horizon machine-learning development. Rather than simply maintaining the existing system, the postdoctoral scholar is expected to extend it with new methods and applications, including broader scientific problems, additional data modalities, and more complex scientific tasks such as data analysis, quantum control, experimental design, and detector monitoring. The role also offers opportunities to engage with projects associated with the DOE Genesis Mission and to collaborate with researchers at U.S. national laboratories, including Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, as well as industry collaborators. The position is based at UC San Diego’s HDSI and Department of Physics, with the possibility of remote work depending on work authorization restrictions and the PI’s preferences.