Post Doctorate Research Associate - Detection Physics & Axion Research

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.  

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus. 

The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based, mission-focused solutions to take on complex, real-world threats to our nation and the world. 

The Physical Detection Systems and Deployment Division, part of the National Security Directorate, delivers policy-informed technology solutions by removing barriers to real-world implementation. We strive to understand end-user environments to transition technology from the developmental stage to deployment. Our diverse expertise in operational systems provides tools, technologies, and approaches for combating a range of threats, both at home and in more than 100 countries around the globe.

Responsibilities

PNNL is seeking an outstanding post-doctoral researcher to participate in dark-matter research on the Axion Dark Matter experiment (ADMX), the Very Entangled Bose Array experiment (VEBAX), and the ADMX-SIDETRAC experiment.  Selected researchers will be part of the broad physics program within the Detection Physics Group at PNNL, which includes essential contributions to neutrino and dark-matter experiments, and other areas of nuclear and particle physics. 

The appointee will have leading roles in the design and development of the upcoming ADMX phase Run 2 as well as the new PNNL-led DOE pathfinder project VEBAX and the PNNL-led ADMX-SIDETRAC search, as well as the operation and science of the operating ADMX experiment. At PNNL we are making critical contributions to the ADMX experiment in the areas of radiofrequency (RF) engineering, experiment controls, and data analysis. PNNL leads the VEBAX project which will integrate several new RF technologies for DM searches, demonstrating multi-mode entanglement in cavity array haloscopes, and modeling the quantum/classical receiver to optimize measurement protocols. Finally, the two-cavity, quantum-enabled axion pathfinder experiment, dubbed the ADMX-SIDETRAC, is scheduled to be performed at PNNL in 2027.

Candidates may have varied experience and focus. Areas of particular interest include RF systems, software development, quantum systems simulation, signal processing, experiment controls, data acquisition, operations of research instrumentation, and analysis of experimental data.

Applicants are expected to demonstrate unique technical strengths applicable to the above research efforts and present a compelling vision for their contributions. Excellent communication and presentation skills are required, and preference will be given to candidates with a demonstrated ability to publish completed research.  Work may include travel to collaborating institutions.

Beyond the scope of axion dark-matter research, researchers may also contribute to the Detection Physics Group’s applied programs, assisting with the cross-pollination of new methods and technologies in radiation detection and quantum-information science relevant to basic and applied research for national security

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD degree in particle or nuclear physics, astrophysics, or a related field.
• Technical Expertise: General knowledge of detector systems, other technical skills with respect to detectors, and an understanding of analysis/simulation/reconstruction software frameworks is desired.  
• Experience with or knowledge of RF systems, software development techniques, quantum simulation frameworks, data acquisition systems, or experiment controls systems is preferred.
• Software tools: Prior experience with data analysis, simulation, or other coding experience is important.  Familiarity with Python and C++ is particularly useful
• Level of Responsibility: Both contributing and leading roles in detector design and development, experiment operations, data analysis, software development, and publication of scientific results
• Breadth of Relevant Technical Knowledge: Dark-matter physics, neutrino physics, or related areas of nuclear and particle physics and astrophysics.