"Postdoctoral Researcher"

Position Overview

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kansas seeks to fill a post-doctoral researcher position in nuclear physics on the CMS Experiment.

Starting Date: November 15th 2025, or as soon thereafter as the position can be filled (also negotiable).

Length of Appointment: Initial appointment is for one year with the possibility of renewal annually for three subsequent years subject to review.

GENERAL DUTIES: Research in nuclear physics. The successful candidate will contribute to several aspects of the group's research program including detector operations, data analysis, event simulation, and publication of research results.

Job Description

Conduct research in experimental nuclear physics with members of the University of Kansas CMS nuclear physics group. This entails participation in relevant facets of the overall research endeavor encompassing the life-cycle nuclear physics including detector construction, experimental operations, data analysis culminating in paper publication. The duties include proposal preparation, editorial work, presentation of results, outreach and career development. The group has a focus on studies of high gluon density as well as photon-photon interactions. Our group has responsibility for the current CMS Zero Degree Calorimeters as well as the construction of new ZDC for the high luminosity LHC. Participation in the EPIC experiment at the Electron Ion Collider is also possible.

Active participation in the Zero Degree Calorimeter detector calibration will also be possible. Some simulation studies on the EIC and the complementary future measurements with respect to the LHC as potential signal for saturation will also be performed.

Specific job duties:

• 60% CMS heavy ion data analysis and technical work
• 20% CMS upgrades
• 10% Possible EIC simulation studies
• 10% Assisting faculty in mentoring graduate students

Position Requirements

• Willingness and ability to travel to Switzerland to spend time at the LHC

Required Qualifications

1. A Ph.D. in physics or related field by date of appointment.
2. Previous on site experience working at a running nuclear or high energy physics experiment, as evidenced by application materials.

NOTE: To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title, it is necessary to have the PhD in hand. Appointments made without a diploma or certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an interim basis not to exceed 6 months.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Previous experience in experimental physics, as evidenced by application materials.
2. Previous experience in analysis of large complex data sets, as evidenced by application materials.
3. Strong interpersonal communication skills, as evidenced by application materials.
4. Demonstrated willingness to help mentor graduate students, as evidenced by application materials.

Contact Information to Applicants

Michael Murray (mjmurray@ku.edu)

Additional Candidate Instruction

In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae (including publications list, where relevant)
• Statement of Research Interests and Skills
• At least three letters of recommendation

Only complete applications will be considered.

Application review begins Monday October 27, 2025 and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants are identified.

Advertised Salary Range 58,656 commensurate with experience

Application Review Begins 27-Oct-2025

Anticipated Start Date 15-Feb-2026

Primary Campus University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

FTE 1.0

Reg/Temp Regular

FLSA Status Professional

Employee Class U-Unclassified Professional Staff

Work Location Assignment On-Site