Experimental Nuclear Physics Postdoc

What You Will Do

The low-energy nuclear physics team (P-3) in LANL's Physics Division is looking for two or more postdoctoral researchers to work on direct and indirect measurements of neutron-induced reactions. The successful candidate will perform measurements, analysis, and/or development with the suite of instruments located at the Los Alamos Neutron Science Center (LANSCE). The instruments include the Detector for Advanced Neutron Capture Experiments (DANCE), the Low-Energy (n,Z) (LENZ) Instrument, the Chi-Nu Prompt Fission Neutron Instrument, the Correlated Gamma-Neutron Array for sCattering (CoGNAC), the Spatially REsolved Fission Tracker and TPC (SREFT), the SPecrometer for Ion DEtermination Research (SPIDER), and the Device for Indirect Capture Experiments on Radionuclides (DICER), which all take advantage of the unique time-of-flight neutron beams available se neutron beams are produced via spallation and cover a broad range of incident neutron energies from sub-thermal to 800 MeV.

New capabilities being developed include a novel Neutron Target Facility for measuring neutron-induced reactions in inverse kinematics, and current opportunities available to work on the ongoing Neutron Target Demonstrator and ASTRA facility. Outside Los Alamos, experimental campaigns are also performed using charged particle beams at various university based, or national laboratory based accelerator facilities.

Research areas in the group include studies of nuclear astrophysics (s-process, r-process, heavy element synthesis), nuclear structure (gamma-ray spectroscopy, level density, photon strength function), nuclear reactions, and studies of the fission process. The group is tightly coupled to the LANL Theory Division; nuclear physics and astrophysics theory groups as well as rad-hydro modeling teams in nuclear applications groups.

A broad range of expertise and background is desired in the team, and there are multiple distinct projects that a successful candidate could pursue within the research disciplines of the team. Opportunities for collaboration outside of P-3 include, for example, working with nuclear engineers on applications of spallation physics, with radio chemists on radioactive target fabrication, or with a variety of groups developing simulations for real-world applications.

Highly qualified applicants will be considered for Director's or Agnew National Security Postdoctoral Fellowships with exceptional candidates being considered for the prestigious Marie Curie, Richard P. Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, or Frederick Reines Fellowships.

Minimum

Job Requirements:

• Ph.D. in a relevant area of nuclear physics, particle physics, astrophysics, nuclear engineering, or related areas
• Ability to carry out independent and collaborative research
• Ability to communicate both technically and interpersonally both, orally and in writing

Desired

Qualifications:

• Experience in particle or gamma-ray detector development and/or implementation
• Experience with Monte Carlo based particle/gamma-ray simulation tools
• Experience with nuclear reaction models
• Experience with detector electronic hardware and/or data acquisition design and development
• Experience with numerical methods or computational physics
• Familiarity or expertise with the UNIX/Linux operating systems and or scripting languages such as Python
• Familiarity and or expertise with machine learning approaches

Education

A Ph.D. in Physics or a related field completed within the last five years or soon to be completed is required. Exceptions can be made to the five-year time-frame-please inquire if this is relevant.

Work Environment:

Work Location:

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management.

Note to Applicants:

• Please send any questions for details or information to Sean Kuvin, who is co-chairing the search committee.
• In addition to applying online, please send a curriculum vitae, a cover letter summarizing relevant qualifications, research, and career goals, and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to kuvin.
• Candidates may be considered for a Director's Fellowship and outstanding candidates may be considered for the prestigious Marie Curie, Richard P. Feynman, J. Robert Oppenheimer, Frederick Reines or Harold Agnew Fellowships.
• General information on the LANL Postdoc Program and postdoctoral salaries is available.

Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which…