About this role
Position Overview
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kansas seeks to fill a postdoctoral researcher or research associate position in experimental neutrino physics.
Starting Date: January 15, 2027, or as soon thereafter as the position can be filled (also negotiable).
Length of Appointment: Initial appointment is for one year. The position is expected to last up to four years renewable year by year. A further extension is possible and contingent on funding availability.
GENERAL DUTIES
Research in Experimental Neutrino Physics. The successful candidate will contribute to several aspects of the experimental neutrino physics group's research program including software development, physics data analysis, and publication of research results.
Conduct research in experimental neutrino physics in collaboration with members of the University of Kansas Experimental Neutrino Physics group, with Fermilab scientists and collaboration members world-wide. This entails participation in relevant facets of the overall research endeavor encompassing the life-cycle of neutrino experiments, ranging from experimental design, feasibility studies, detector prototyping, detector R&D, detector construction, detector operation, data-taking support, detector calibration and alignment, detector modeling, detector simulation, physics event simulation, event reconstruction, data analysis, software development, publication preparation, proposal preparation, editorial work, presentation of results, outreach and career development.
Job Description
40% - Development of new techniques to reconstruct the various event topologies, including neutrino interactions and BSM signatures, observed in LArTPC experiments.
40% - Development of new techniques for the physics analysis of LArTPC data with the goal of studying the oscillation of neutrinos from accelerator, the atmosphere and astrophysical sources, and searching for BSM processes.
10% - Documentation, presentation and publication of research results.
10% - Assist faculty in guiding the group's graduate and undergraduate students.
Required Qualifications
- A Ph.D. in physics.
- At least 1 year of experience in experimental particle physics or a related experimental field, either during their Ph.D. or afterwards.
To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD in hand. Appointments made without a diploma or certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an acting basis not to exceed 6-months.
This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.
Preferred Qualifications
- At least one year of experience in experimental and computing techniques relevant to neutrino oscillation experiments.
- At least one year of experience in particle physics data analysis.
- At least one year of experience with algorithm development and C++/Python programming languages.
- Effective communication skills as evidenced in application materials.
Contact Information to Applicants
Professor Maria Brigida Brunetti [email protected]
Additional Candidate Instruction
A complete application includes
- Cover Letter
- Curriculum Vitae (including publications list)
- Statement of Research Interests and Skills
- At least three letters of recommendation
Application review begins Monday, November 30th and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.
Disclaimer
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.