Fermilab, Accelerator Division

2392 20609
Position ID:FNAL-Accelerator Division-ADPRA1 [#20609]
Position Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate - High Power Targetry R&D
Position Type:Postdoctoral
Position Location:Batavia, Illinois 60510, United States [map] sort by distance
Subject Area: Physics
Appl Deadline:2022/02/20 11:59PMhelp popup finished (2021/11/23, finished 2022/08/27, listed until 2022/02/20)
Position Description:    

*** this position has been closed and new applications are no longer accepted. ***

Open Date: November 23, 2021

Close: February 20, 2022

We Are:

Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and at locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, and the South Pole.

We are strategic risk takers, innovators, and collaborators. We are engineers, scientists, technicians, administrative professionals. We are 1,800 employees advancing knowledge for the benefit of humankind. Fermilab has been at the forefront of particle physics for more than 40 years. We build world-leading accelerators and detectors to conduct some of the most advanced particle physics experiments possible. We collect and analyze the data from those experiments with some of the most powerful computers in the world. We conduct this research on a 6,800-acre prairie, 35 miles outside Chicago, a treasure that has been designated a National Environmental Research Park.

The Acceleration Division/Target Systems Department is seeking highly qualified candidates for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the Fermilab team on High Power Targetry Research and Development. The main portion of the appointment will be to support the radiation damage studies of materials used for high power particle-beam targets. The candidate will develop models of target materials to better understand the fundamental radiation damage mechanisms. It will involve multi-scale modeling of radiation-induced defects in graphite and metallic alloys, as well as understanding of the interactions between defects and interfaces. The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to characterize irradiated materials experimentally to support and validate the development and predictions of the models. The candidate will also have the opportunity to participate in the operations and research of Fermilab beam experiments. Another part of the appointment will be to investigate alternative methods to assess radiation damage in target material such as using low energy heavy ions or electrons to “mimic” the irradiation conditions at Fermilab with high energy proton irradiations and open the way for faster, less expensive, and safer irradiation method to explore candidate materials for future high intensity target facilities.

The person hired in this position will join the Accelerator Division’s Target System Department (TSD targets.fnal.gov) – High Power Targetry R&D group, which is involved in supporting the R&D program for current and future target facilities at Fermilab: NuMI and LBNF. He/she actively participate in the research collaboration with the Computational Materials Group in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Computational Materials Group – UW–Madison (wisc.edu)).

TSD is an integrated department, consisting of physicists, engineers, and technicians; value differences that embody principles of diversity and inclusion. You will join a group of people dedicated to their work and actively involved in new areas of research.

This position is a three-year, term appointment with the possibility of renewal based upon satisfactory job performance.

You Will

  • Develop radiation damage models and validate results with experimental data for materials relevant for high-power targetry.
  • Participate and contribute to radiation studies and irradiation experiments of candidate materials for high power targetry.
  • Design and perform irradiation experiments of candidate target materials and perform analyses of the collected data (material characterization).
  • Investigate alternative methods to radiation damage study including electron beams and low energy heavy ion beams.
  • Publish the results of experiments and studies in peer-reviewed journals. 
  • May supervise engineers or technicians, as assigned.
  • Expects to participate in technical conferences and publication.
  • Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.
  • Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.
  • Contribute optimally within a diverse workforce and upholds Fermilab’s dedication to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

We Are Looking For

  • Ph.D. in Physics, accelerator physics, Material Science and Engineering or a related discipline, with the degree completed by the time of the appointment.
  • Prior expertise in computational modeling (especially atomistic simulations) of materials is required.
  • Knowledge of modern Monte Carlo codes for high-energy particle productions and/or radiation transport simulations (e.g. GEANT, MARS, FLUKA, MCNP) is desirable but not required. 
  • Knowledge of data management techniques and tools is desirable.
  • Experience with characterization techniques of materials (SEM, EBSD, TEM, AFM, nanoindentation) is desirable.
  • Ability to work effectively with other individuals and within groups of varying composition.
  • A record of scientific accomplishments, publications, and other products of research.
  • Demonstrated oral and written communication skills, including the preparation and delivery of papers, reports, and presentations.

Physical Activity and Work Conditions

  • Human Factors: mental concentration, tight work schedule, visually demanding
  • Physical Factors: ionizing radiation

Application Instructions

Submit an application via the Fermilab website and Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/20609):  

  • a cover letter with a brief statement of research interests;
  • curriculum vitae with a list of publications;
  • at least 3 letters of reference.

All FRA employees are required to be vaccinated for COVID-19, unless the employee is legally entitled to an accommodation based on a medical condition/disability or a sincerely held religious belief

Diverse People, Diverse Jobs

Fermilab is an Equal Opportunity Employer and believes a diverse and inclusive environment based on mutual respect is essential to our mission. Fermilab is committed to recruiting and developing the most hardworking people and does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military/veteran status, country of birth, geography/postal code, disability, marital status, parental or gestational status, or other non-merit factor.


Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
And anything else requested in the position description.

Further Info:
email address
 
Fermilab
PO Box 500
Batavia, IL 60510