Open Date:     December 9, 2021

Close Date:    March 7, 2022

We Are

The Accelerator Research Department of Fermilab’s Accelerator Division seeks highly qualified candidates for a position of Associate Scientist focusing on beam-cooling technology.

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 South Dakota and at locations around the world, including Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, and the South Pole.

Fermilab is an established, world leader in beam-cooling R&D and has initiated a new research program dedicated to the development of Optical Stochastic Cooling (OSC). The central purpose of this program is a multiple order-of-magnitude advance in the state of the art for particle-beam cooling and control.

In the high-intensity beams of modern accelerators, the ability to increase or maintain beam density and lifetime is essential. Historically, this has required the development and application of a variety of beam-cooling concepts and technologies to facilitate particle accumulation, higher luminosity and to counteract diffusive (heating) effects, such as intrabeam scattering, Touschek scattering and residual-gas scattering. One of the greatest conceptual and technological triumphs in this area was Van der Meer’s Nobel-Prize-winning Stochastic Cooling. Extension of the stochastic cooling principle to optical frequencies and bandwidths could increase achievable cooling rates by three to four orders of magnitude.

The world’s first demonstration of OSC at Fermilab’s Integrable Optics Test Accelerator (IOTA) was achieved in 2021. The next phase of this research includes the complete demonstration of an operational optical stochastic cooling system with >1000x optical-power gain and an additional ~60x increase in the density of transverse sensing and feedback. This will include an experimental program, which makes use of the IOTA ring, along with a set of complementary simulations. The OSC system will also be combined with methods in machine/reinforcement learning to establish new capabilities in advanced beam control.

Associate Scientist conducts directed research, develops theories, and devises methods to apply laws, theories and research in physics projects related to the overall mission of the Laboratory. The position is for a period of three (3) years, with the potential for extension, pending additional funding. The appointees are judged to have the potential to make contributions to the Laboratory that will subsequently qualify them for appointment as Scientist, a scientific appointment without term.

You Will

• Perform accelerator studies focusing on beam cooling.
• Oversee and carry out segments of design, scheduling, and budgeting for the development of a high-bandwidth, low-delay optical parametric amplifier and its use in the amplified-OSC experiment in IOTA.
• Work with and directs the work of other employees as assigned.
• Serve on Laboratory and professional committees as appropriate. May lecture and teach in a related field of science.
• Present reports on your work at meetings, workshops and conferences.
• Abide by all environment, safety and health regulations.

We Are Looking For

• Ph.D. in experimental physics, accelerator physics, particle physics, or relevant discipline.
• At least two (2) years of postdoctoral scientific research experience (or equivalent) in experimental physics, accelerator physics, particle physics, or relevant discipline.
• Laboratory experience with nonlinear optics.
• Knowledge of accelerator and computational physics is preferred.
• Knowledge of, and experience with, machine/reinforcement-learning methods is preferred.
• Experience proposing and executing small experiments is desirable.
• Ability to effectively troubleshoot technical systems is desirable.
• Ability to work effectively under the requirements of schedules and shifting priorities.
• 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, ability to ascend and descend stairs, ability to lift up to 20 lb.
• Physical Factors: laser radiation, high voltage, ionizing radiation.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit via Academic Jobs Online:

• Cover letter
• Curriculum Vitae
• Research Statement
• Publication List
• Three Reference Letters (to be submitted by the reference writers at the AJO site).

For general information about this position, please contact Alexander Valishev at (valishev@fnal.gov).

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.

Fermilab is an Equal Opportunity Employer and believes a diverse and inclusive environment based on mutual respect is critical to our mission. Fermilab is committed to recruiting and developing the most talented 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.