Post Doctorate RA - SuperCDMS​/Dark Matter

Overview

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Integrated Discovery Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The National Security Directorate (NSD) drives science-based,real-world threats to our nation and the world.

The Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Technologies Division, within the National Security Directorate, works across fundamental science, research and development, and operations to counter emerging national security threats. We focus on discovering signatures and understanding threats by creating materials, methods, and technologies to detect and analyze them. Our researchers deliver the solutions necessary for addressing complex mission challenges, such as explosives detection, biological threat detection, chemical and nuclear forensics, and special nuclear materials.

PNNL is seeking an outstanding post-doctoral researcher to participate in background analysis of the early science data of the SuperCDMS SNOLAB dark matter experiment as a member of the Detection Physics (DP) Group.

Areas of particular interest include:

• Operation of solid-state cryogenic radiation detectors;
• Experience in testing and operation of research instrumentation for underground physics experiments;
• Generalized radiation measurement expertise;
• Detector and background modeling;
• High-performance computing techniques applied to radiation transport simulation;
• and analysis of experimental data from rare-event searches (esp. direct detection of dark matter).

The ideal candidate will seek to develop a unique contribution to the SuperCDMS SNOLAB experiment related to background evaluation and analysis, culminating in leading the publication of results from initial data obtained from SuperCDMS SNOLAB detectors. Candidates having expertise complementing PNNL’s focus in background control for low-background radiation detectors and physics experiments is highly desirable. There is potential for significant travel to the SNOLAB (Sudbury, Canada) underground laboratory in support of the operation of, and data taking from, the SuperCDMS SNOLAB.

The post-doctoral researcher will also have the opportunity to participate in the DP Group’s quantum information science and applied radiation detection programs. These programs may provide bench-scale, hands-on laboratory instrumentation development opportunities, including working in the PNNL shallow underground laboratory cleanroom.

The principal responsibilities of the chosen researcher are to work constructively with both the core group of SuperCDMS SNOLAB dark matter researchers at PNNL and our colleagues in the dark matter direct-detection research community and collaborations. The post-doctoral fellow will be mentored by one of the senior researchers within the DP Group and will assist with mentoring graduate students and summer interns.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must have received a PhD within the past five years (60 months) or within the next 8 months from an accredited college or university.
• PhD in nuclear physics, particle physics, or a related technical field.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with or knowledge of low-background radiation detector systems, esp. direct detection of dark matter techniques.
• Personal contributor to detector development, data analysis, and publication and presentation of results.
• Underground…