Prof. Chris Grant’s neutrino group at Boston University is seeking applicants for a Postdoctoral Research Associate.  Our effort is primarily focused on low-energy neutrino physics, such as neutrinoless double beta decay, and R&D related to novel water-based scintillators.  The postdoctoral candidate is expected to have a leading role on one or more projects in these areas.

One of our primary experiments, KamLAND-Zen, has recently published new limits on the neutrinoless double beta decay half-life and will continue with a major data-acquisition electronics upgrade over the next several years to further suppress backgrounds.  The experiment is planning a complete refurbishment of the inner detector in 2027, known as KamLAND2-Zen.  We are also ramping up on a future experiment, called CUPID (CUORE Upgrade with Particle IDentification), which is a scintillating bolometer that will have 3σ discovery sensitivity of 10²⁷ years.

In addition to pushing the sensitivity of neutrinoless double beta decay to new limits, we are also involved in a wide range of R&D related to a future water-based liquid scintillator (WbLS) detector called Theia.  We are constructing a small prototype of Theia, called Eos, at UC Berkeley.  Eos will start data-taking in 2024 with the goal of demonstrating Cherenkov/Scintillation separation and developing/validating reconstruction techniques in WbLS at the ton-scale. More details on our research can be found at https://www.cgnulab.com/.

Qualifying candidates must have a Ph.D. in experimental particle physics.  Preference will be given to those having a combination of hardware and software experience on neutrino experiments.  The successful applicant will have a major role in at least one of the following:  KamLAND-Zen data analysis, low-background assays and R&D for CUPID, R&D for future neutrino experiments like Eos and Theia.

Candidates interested in this position should submit a CV and two-page research statement, and arrange for three letters of reference to also be submitted through https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/23683.  The initial deadline for applications is December 12, 2022, however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.   Questions related to the position should be sent to Prof. Chris Grant (cpgrant@bu.edu). 

Boston University is an equal opportunity employer. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor