Position Description

The SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory (SLAC) is seeking a postdoctoral experimental Research Associate to work on the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN.

Note: the SLAC ATLAS group is performing two concurrent postdoc searches. It will be assumed that applications submitted to either post can be shared between the two searches, unless another preference is indicated by the applicant.

The SLAC ATLAS group consists of approximately 20 people, 3 of whom are currently based at CERN. Information on the SLAC ATLAS group can be found on our web page http://www.slac.stanford.edu/exp/atlas/.

The SLAC group is actively engaged in a variety of exciting experimental areas in high energy collider physics, with current activities and developing interests including:

• ATLAS physics analysis, including searches for BSM phenomena and Higgs boson studies;
• Machine learning applications in analysis, simulation, reconstruction, and trigger;
• Reconstruction & combined performance, including b-tagging, tracking, jets;
• High Luminosity upgrade physics & detector, including the Inner Tracker (ITk);
• Detector R&D, including targeted studies for experiments at future colliders.

The successful candidate will be based at SLAC, and will contribute to physics analysis and detector instrumentation, along with the application of machine learning to these areas, while demonstrating alignment with the SLAC mission and values (https://careers.slac.stanford.edu/working-slac/mission-vision-values). The position is initially a two-year term with the possibility of renewal.

Position Responsibilities:

• Take leadership in ATLAS physics analyses, namely in the areas of BSM searches for unusual topologies;
• Drive studies on machine learning methods and applications;
• Participate in the development of detector instrumentation;
• Work in teams with a variety of collaborators.

Qualifications:

These are highly competitive positions as part of the general research associate program at SLAC, requiring a background of demonstrated excellence in research.

• Applicants should have a Ph.D. in physics or a related field, or should expect to receive their Ph.D. by the time the appointment begins.
• Background in detector instrumentation and hardware is preferable.
• Experience with physics research utilizing machine learning is also highly beneficial.
  

Deadline:

The review of application materials will begin October 15, 2023. The position will remain open until filled. The successful candidate will ideally start in spring 2024.