Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research position at the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences (NCAC PAS). The successful applicant will work with Prof. Masayuki Wada on the project "Development of the Most Sensitive Dark Matter Detector with Liquid Argon" funded by the Polish National Science Center (NCN), through grant SONATA-BIS nr 2021/42/E/ST2/00331.
The primary responsibility of a researcher for this position will be the analysis of physics data from the simulation for liquid argon detectors as well as feasibility and design optimization studies and software development. The research consists of novel light collection and SiPM-based detection systems for future dark matter detectors and for applications in medical physics. The successful candidate will actively participate in the construction of the prototype experiment detector which will pave the way for future detectors (DarkSide-LM). Scope of work includes: - performing Geant4 simulation - prediction of background rates in DarkSide-LM - calculating projected detector sensitivity - electric field simulations of the detector in different configurations using COMSOL software - measuring the response of LAr to low-energy recoils - analysis of the spatial dependence of the detector response in the x-y plane - exploring the drift field-dependence of the ionization yield for low-energy nuclear recoils - presenting scientific results at conferences - preparing technical notes and publications - supervision of PhD students - actively participating in the research program at AstroCeNT - active cooperation with other research teams at AstroCeNT - being prepared to apply for grants.
The position will be based in Warsaw, Poland, and may involve occasional travel to and longer stays at LNGS underground laboratory in Italy.
We look for applicants able to work in a team, with experience in programming in Geant4, ROOT and Python. Experience with data acquisition and hardware development (including cryogenic and vacuum techniques, electronics) will also be considered an asset.
We are seeking applicants that received their Ph.D. in experimental particle or nuclear physics or related fields within the past 5 years. Candidates approaching their Ph.D. defense are also invited to apply (Ph.D. title will be required to start the employment).
The successful candidate is expected to start his/her employment on 1 January 2024.
The position is initially awarded for 23 months, with a possibility of extension. The salary will be commensurate to that of Polish researchers at the same career stage, exceeding PLN 8000 gross per month.
Documents (in pdf format) should be submitted by e-mail, with a subject “Sonata Bis Post-doc 1 position in Astroparticle Physics”, to recruitment@camk.edu.pl and they must include:
- a copy of the PhD diploma;
- CV including the list of publications;
- resume with statement of research interests and plans
- a scan of the signed NCN GDPR document available here;
- applicants should arrange for two recommendation letters to be sent directly to the same e-mail address.
Application deadline: 14 November 2023. The review of the applications will begin soon after this date and short-listed candidates will be invited for interviews.
The candidates will be informed about the selection results by 17 November 2023.
The selection criteria include:
1.the candidate's research achievements including publications in prestigious academic press /journals (50% of the final score);
2.research-related achievements, scholarships, awards and research experience gained in Poland or abroad, research workshops and training courses, participation in research projects (20% of the final score);
3.the candidate’s competence to carry out specific tasks in the research project (30% of the final score).
For additional information, please contact Masayuki Wada (e-mail: masayuki@camk.edu.pl).
