Post-Doctoral Research Associate: Department of Physics and Astronomy - UTK

University of Tennessee • Knoxville, TN

1d • $62,000 - $65,000 • Onsite

About The Position

T he experimental nuclear physics group working in medium energy and fundamental symmetries at t he Un i vers it y of T ennessee i s seek i ng cand i da t es for a pos t doc t oral p o s iti on to begin in January 2026 . The successful candidate will have a role in the group’s neutron beta decay efforts at Oak Ridge National Lab as well as ongoing analysis work of Jefferson Lab (JLab) experiments and work towards future ones. T he cand i da t e m ust have a P h D (or sa ti sf i ed a l l subs t an ti ve requ i re m en t s for a P hD) i n nuc l ear or particle ph y s i cs. The successful candidate contributes to the running of the Nab beta decay experiment at ORNL and data analysis. Additionally, the successful candidate will help bring online a Dynamic Nuclear Polarization system and assist with data analysis of JLab experiments. Finally, the successful candidate will be expected to assist with supervision of graduate and undergraduate students as well as work in a multi-institutional collaboration. T he appo i n tm e n t w il l be i n iti a ll y for one year, w it h poss i b l e renewal for t wo add iti on a l years upon m u t ual agree m ent and ava il ab i lit y of funds.

Requirements

• PhD in physics by Dec 2025
• Working in large experimental collaborations
• Data analysis of large data sets.
• Experience with vacuum and cryogenic apparatus.

Nice To Haves

• Working at a large user facility
• python
• root/C++
• Labview
• Class IV laser operation
• laser optics alignment.

Responsibilities

• Take a leading role in Nab beta decay experiment at the Spallation Neutron Source.
• Coordinate some fraction of those efforts, interfacing with collaborators at other institutions and staff scientists at ORNL.
• Design and construction of apparatus, taking data with neutrons, analysis said data and presenting it to the collaboration and the community at large at scientific conferences.
• Mentor and supervise graduate and undergraduate students.
• Work with graduate students and ORNL and JLab collaborators to commission and upgrade a Dynamic Nuclear Physics apparatus at UT.
• Analyze data from JLab experiments and present it to the nuclear physics community.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree