Exceptional points in the scattering continuum

The manifestation of exceptional points in the scattering continuum of atomic nucleus is studied using the real-energy continuum shell model. It is shown that low-energy exceptional points appear for realistic values of coupling to the continuum and, hence, could be accessible experimentally. Experimental signatures are proposed which include the jump by $2\pi$ of the elastic scattering phase shift and a salient energy dependence of cross-sections in the vicinity of the exceptional point.