Job description

The ATLAS group at Northern Illinois University (NIU) invites applications for a postdoctoral research associate position at the ATLAS Experiment.

The NIU ATLAS group currently comprises 2 Faculty, 1 postdoc, 1 engineer, and ~10 PhD and MS students working on a variety of topics. It has a strong research programme in searches for new physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM) and Higgs Physics, and a significant presence in the ATLAS Upgrade effort for the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). It also collaborates with scientists at several national laboratories on computational challenges across the broader HEP ecosystem.

The successful candidate is expected to work with one of the group's PIs (Hector de la Torre Perez) and play a major role in novel searches for BSM physics using Run 3 data from the ATLAS experiment, with a focus on Vector-like Quark searches. They are also expected to supervise students working on these analyses. Other research avenues related to BSM searches or to the development of new techniques for the HL-LHC are also within the group's interests and would be welcome additions to its portfolio.

In parallel, the new postdoc is expected to participate in HL-LHC upgrade projects, particularly the trigger system. The group currently has a presence in the FPGA-based Global Trigger and EFTracking subsystems, but other options could be considered depending on the candidate’s interest. 

The position will be based at CERN. Participation in operations and/or the commissioning of the ATLAS detector for the HL-LHC is expected.

Qualifications:

• Hold a PhD in experimental particle physics by the start date.

• Demonstrated experience at an LHC experiment is an advantage.

• Ability and interest to supervise students.

• Knowledge of FPGA-based systems, data analysis, and/or Machine Learning methods is very welcome.

What we offer:

• Starting gross salary of $70,539 per year, with 4% annual increases.

• Initial appointment of one year, with annual renewal contingent on mutual satisfaction and continued funding.

• Negotiable starting date. As soon as possible (after all relevant paperwork is completed) is preferred. 

Applications should be submitted with a CV, a list of relevant publications (specifying the candidate’s contributions), a research statement, and at least three reference letters.

Applications arriving before March 1st, 2026, will receive full consideration. The position will be open until filled.

For more information on the group:

https://www.niu.edu/clas/physics/about/directory/torre-perez.shtml

https://www.niu.edu/jadelman/index.shtml

Inquiries related to this opening should be sent to hector.de.la.torre.perez@cern.ch