Post-Doctoral Fellow, Physics

Engineering a world of possibilities The successful candidate will work on the fabrication, assembly, testing, launch, and analysis of data from the POEMMA Balloon with Radio (P ) experiment. They will also support research on topics directly connected to the Neutrino Science case of P , including the development of simulation software targeted at below-the-limb neutrino measurements. The Colorado School of Mines seeks a postdoctoral researcher to take a leadership role on the POEMMA Balloon with Radio (P ), a NASA super‑pressure balloon (SPB) mission designed to study high‑energy cosmic particles via multi‑messenger detection.

In this position, you will join an international collaboration and lead efforts to develop, integrate, and operate critical payload components, with a particular focus on simulation, payload calibration, and the Cherenkov camera system. You will also participate in field testing, launch, and flight operations, as well as conduct physics analyses that contribute to the mission’s scientific objectives.

Assembly and integration

• Take a major role in the integration of the Cherenkov camera.
• Participate in payload integration activities.
• Take a lead role in organizing the calibration of the payload.
• Take a lead role in ground‑based field testing of the instrument.
• Collaborate with the international team during launch and flight operations, providing real‑time monitoring and technical expertise.

• Take a lead role in Cherenkov simulation and integration in Offline software.
• Conduct a physics analysis project related to the P  mission or space‑based multi‑messenger observations (e.g., stratospheric Cherenkov telescope data, earth‑skimming neutrino simulations).
• Present results at international conferences and publish findings in peer‑reviewed journals.

• Work closely with the broader P  collaboration, which includes NASA, universities, and research institutions worldwide.
• Provide mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students involved in mission‑related projects.

• PhD (or anticipated completion by start date) in Physics, Astrophysics, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience with experimental astrophysics or instrumentation.
• Demonstrated experience with physics/detector simulation and reconstruction software.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for scientific publications and presentations.

• Prior experience with super‑pressure balloon experiments or high‑altitude balloon instrumentation.
• Hands‑on expertise in fluorescence / Cherenkov telescope hardware.
• Familiarity with data analysis for stratospheric Cherenkov telescopes and/or earth‑skimming neutrino simulations.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary, international team environment.

This is a full‑time, 1‑year appointment with the possibility of renewal for up to two additional years, contingent upon performance and available funding. This position allows flexible work location; however, regular travel to the Colorado School of Mines for hardware work and meetings is expected. Extensive travel for integration, testing, launch, and conferences is required. The start date is flexible; target summer or early fall 2026.

Benefits:

• Flexible health and dental care options.
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week‑long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on the first day of employment, with generous employer contribution.
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50% discount for dependents).
• Free RTD Ecopass for regional transportation.
• Access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games.
• Access to the state‑of‑the‑art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool, and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center.
• On‑campus daycare center.

For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

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