Overview: 

Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security.

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will support the Neutron Symmetries Group in the Physics Division, Physical Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).  The Postdoctoral Research Associate will focus on studies of fundamental physics with neutrons. 

As part of our research team, you will develop data acquisition systems, design data-taking and analysis workflows, and perform simulations of systematic effects, as part of the nEDM@SNS experiment.  You will have the opportunity to participate in all facets of the experiment, including implementation of detector test setup, data acquisition system development and testing, simulation and data analysis, data interpretation, and presentation and publication of the results.  You will also have the opportunity to participate in the broader fundamental research program with neutrons, including the Nab experiment and searches for neutron oscillations.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Develop data-taking and online analysis routines and new algorithms for CPU and GPU based simulations of the nEDM experiment leveraging ORNL supercomputing resources
• Develop and commission data acquisition (DAQ) firmware and software for the SiPM (silicon photo-multiplier) readout assembly using LabVIEW FPGA
• Perform, analyze, interpret, and publish simulations of the experiment and relevant systematic effects and characterizations of the DAQ system performed at ORNL
• Participate in the broader experimental program of the neutron physics group at ORNL, including experiments related to neutron and nuclear beta decay and exotic channels
• Ensure compliance with environment, safety, health and quality program requirements
• Maintain strong dedication to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics

Basic Qualifications:

• A PhD in experimental nuclear or high energy physics, or a related field completed within the last 5 years

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of C, C++, Python and/or Julia programing languages and Linux operating systems
• Experience with data acquisition systems and simulations and data analysis techniques
• Experience, including use of relevant software and hardware tools, in at least some of:
  • Principles of particle detection especially silicon photomultipliers and scintillators, analog and digital signal processing, detector and data acquisition characterization techniques and interpretation of the results
  • Data analysis and simulation packages such as ROOT and Geant4, and FPGA programming software such as LabVIEW FPGA
  • Implementing algorithms using high-performance parallel codes and/or accelerators (GPU)
  • Experience with standard nuclear physics laboratory instruments and equipment, especially data acquisition systems, detector electronics, and motion control systems
  • High precision nuclear and particle physics experiments especially electric dipole moment searches, and cold and/or ultracold neutron experiments
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory and at other universities
• Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs

Please submit three letters of reference when applying to this position. You can upload these directly to your application or have them sent to postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be for up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and the availability of funding.

Moving can be overwhelming and expensive. UT-Battelle offers a generous relocation package to ease the transition process. Domestic and international relocation assistance is available for certain positions. If invited to interview, be sure to ask your Recruiter (Talent Acquisition Partner) for details.

For more information about our benefits, working here, and living here, visit the “About” tab at jobs.ornl.gov.

Special Requirement:

This position requires travel to laboratories to perform experiments in the US and other countries.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.