University of New Mexico, Physics & Astronomy
Position ID:
UNM-Physics & Astronomy-PD [#32373]
Position Title:
Postdoctoral Fellow in AI-Driven Search for Rare Events in Particle Physics
Position Type:
Postdoctoral
Position Location:
Albuquerque, New Mexico 87106, United States of America
Subject Areas:
AI/Machine Learning
Astronomy / Observational
Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Nuclear Physics / Experimental Nuclear Physics
Astronomy / Observational
Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics
Nuclear Physics / Experimental Nuclear Physics
Appl Deadline:
2026/08/07 23:59:59 (posted 2026/07/27)
Position Description:
Position Description
Job description: The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of New Mexico (UNM) invites applications for one or more Postdoctoral/Research Scientist positions to contribute to a DOE-funded GENESIS research program applying artificial intelligence and machine learning across several domains of physics and astronomy. The successful candidates will develop an integrated image-processing pipeline and apply it to three distinct problems: rare-event searches in particle detectors (e.g. the Migdal effect and neutrino-less double beta decay), component separation in images of strong gravitational lenses, and transient identification in interferometric radio astronomy. The positions offer an unusual opportunity to develop methods that generalize across experimental particle physics, cosmology, and radio astronomy. The selected scientist(s) will be working with a multidisciplinary team at the University of New Mexico including Prof. Dinesh Loomba (PI), Prof. Francis-Yan Cyr-Racine, Prof. Huaiyu Duan, Prof. Greg Taylor, and Research Professor Jayce Dowell, together with Dr. Ralph Massarczyk at LANL.
Responsibilities: The Research Fellows will design and develop an integrated, cross-domain image-processing pipeline in collaboration with researchers in experimental particle physics, cosmology, and radio astronomy.
Qualifications: Applicants must hold a PhD in physics, astronomy, computer science, or a closely related field by
the start date, and demonstrate strong expertise in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and image processing. Prior postdoctoral or equivalent research experience is preferred.
Appointment and compensation: The positions carry a competitive salary starting at $90,000 for nine months and offer the option of remote work with monthly visits to UNM (subject to approval by UNM). The initial appointment is for nine months, with the possibility of extension contingent upon performance and availability of funds.
Application: Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae (including a publication list), a statement of research interests, and 3 letters of recommendation. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled.
The University of New Mexico is an equal opportunity employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.
Contact:
Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Research statement
- Publication list
- Three reference letters (to be submitted online by the reference writers on this site
)
And anything else requested in the position description.
Further Info:
Physics and Astronomy Dept.
MSC07 4220
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131-0001210 Yale Blvd NE
MSC07 4220
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131-0001210 Yale Blvd NE