Position Description

Postdoctoral Scholar – DarkSide-20K

We invite applications for an academic research position at the rank of Postdoctoral Scholar in the area of experimental astroparticle physics, in the Enrico Fermi Institute (EFI) at The University of Chicago.  

We seek an outstanding, highly motivated candidate with interest both in hardware and analysis. The appointee will participate in the DarkSide-20K program, a dark matter direct search using two-phase argon technology to be deployed at the Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory (LNGS) in Italy. On the hardware side the appointee will contribute to the design, construction and integration of the DarkSide-20k Inner Detector. On the analysis side, the appointee  will contribute to Monte Carlo studies for background modeling and to the development of the event reconstruction algorithms, performed on synthetic data, in preparation for early commissioning data. The appointee will also be asked to contribute to R&D activities and auxiliary measurements. The appointee will spend extended periods of time at Gran Sasso Underground Laboratory to closely follow the inner detector integration and the preparatory work. 

Please note that the appointment as a Postdoctoral Scholar is restricted to those less than seven years beyond the attainment of a Ph.D.

Qualifications:

Required:

      •  Ph.D. in physics, astrophysics, or a related field, acquired no later than Winter 2025.

Preferred:

     •  Previous experience with noble liquid detectors, direct dark matter search experiments, low-background techniques, data analysis and Monte Carlo simulations

To apply for this position, please submit the following materials:

•  Cover letter

•  Curriculum vitae

•  List of publications

•  Brief statement of research interests

•  Contact information for at least three reference letter writers

Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2024 and continue until the position is filled. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

For further information about this position, please directly contact Prof. Luca Grandi (lgrandi@uchicago.edu).

We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Job seekers in need of reasonable accommodations to complete the application process should call 773-702-7823 or email efi-fellowships@lists.uchicago.edu with their request.