Postdoctoral Position in Experimental Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics - Postdoc at University of Washington / CENPA

The University of Washington Center for Experimental Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics (CENPA) has immediate openings for postdoctoral appointments for work on one or more of the following experiments: the Axion Dark-Matter eXperiment (ADMX), which is a RF-cavity search for axion dark matter in our galactic halo; a ⁶He beta decay experiment that is searching for non-standard-model currents in weak decays; and the Majorana Demonstrator, which is testing the Majorana nature of the neutrino.

 

ADMX is one of three DOE-NSF “Generation 2” dark-matter searches. It’s beginning operation at CENPA after an extensive upgrade to ultra-low noise SQUID/JPA microwave amplification and ³He cooling. We seek a postdoctoral associate for this program (see depts.washington.edu/admx). Our group’s technical interests include spectral signal estimation, development of cryogenic and vacuum instrumentation, and research on quantum-limited low-noise microwave electronics and resonators. The successful applicant will share our group’s interest in experimental cosmology, broadly considered, and our interest in challenging measurements. Tasks include operation of the detector, analysis of the ADMX data, and development of detector systems.

 

A postdoctoral fellow working on the ⁶He experiment would work on all aspects of the ongoing laser-trap experiment and on developing a new method for determining the beta spectrum shape by detecting the electron cyclotron radiation. This would be the most sensitive experiment considered so far to look for chirality-flipping interactions. Experience with laser traps is welcome but not required.

 

The Majorana Demonstrator is a double-beta decay search using an array of HPGe detectors enriched in ⁷⁶Ge, currently running in the SURF Laboratory in Lead, SD. A postdoctoral fellow working on this experiment would have rich opportunities in data analysis, which is lead out of our group, and would also participate in detector operation, local test stand construction and measurements for alpha backgrounds, and R&D for a future ton-scale Ge experiment.

 

We welcome highly motivated applicants having a Ph.D. in atomic, nuclear, or particle physics or astronomy within the last 3 years, or who are expecting a Ph.D. before starting the position. Applicants should submit with their application letter a curriculum vitae and a list of publications, and have three letters of recommendation sent to Prof. Hamish Robertson (rghr@uw.edu), CENPA, Box 354290, University of Washington, Seattle WA 98195. Electronic submission is encouraged. Applications received by December 16, 2016 will receive full consideration.

 

The University of Washington is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The University is building a culturally diverse faculty and staff and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and Vietnam era veterans.

 

Contact: Prof. Hamish Robertson

Email: rghr@uw.edu

Letters of Reference should be sent to: rghr@uw.edu