Postdoctoral Fellow with the nEXO Experiment – Carleton University

Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute; Kingston; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative research institute is seeking a postdoctoral candidate to join their Astroparticle Physics Group. This dynamic role involves leading the design and operation of cryogenic systems and contributing to significant research in neutrino physics. The successful candidate will work with cutting-edge technology and collaborate with a dedicated team to analyze data from the nEXO detector, aiming to uncover new physics phenomena. This position offers a unique opportunity to advance your career in a supportive and diverse environment, with the potential for contract renewal based on performance.

Qualifications

• Lead efforts in designing and analyzing data from cryogenic infrastructure.
• Participation in software development for simulations and event reconstruction.

Responsibilities

• Join the nEXO Collaboration to search for neutrinoless double beta decay.
• Operate and analyze data from the liquid xenon cryostat.

Skills

Python

C++

ROOT

Good communication skills

Teamwork

Education

Ph.D. in Physics or Engineering

Tools

Cryogenic systems

Photo-detectors

Electronics

Data acquisition

Job description

Postdoctoral Position in Astroparticle Physics at Carleton University

A postdoctoral position is available in the Astroparticle Physics Group at Carleton University (Ottawa, Canada) in collaboration with SNOLAB (Sudbury, Canada). The successful candidate will join the nEXO Collaboration to search for neutrinoless double beta decay (0νββ).

The nEXO detector features a time projection chamber filled with 5 tonnes of enriched liquid xenon. Its predecessor, EXO-200, completed operations in 2018, making the first observation of 136Xe double beta decay and setting limits on the 0νββ mode. Building on this success, nEXO aims to probe the full inverted neutrino mass ordering with the potential to discover new physics.

The image illustrates the scale of the nEXO detector, built in a cavern two kilometers underground. The xenon is protected from radioactive background by various shielding components.

The Carleton group operates a liquid xenon cryostat and tests silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) to inform the photo-detector technology for nEXO. The candidate will lead efforts in designing, operating, and analyzing data from cryogenic infrastructure for SiPM characterization. Participation in software development for simulations and event reconstruction is also possible.

Applicants must hold a recent Ph.D. in Physics or Engineering, or obtain one by the employment start date. Good communication skills, teamwork, and proficiency in programming languages such as Python and C++ ROOT are required. Experience in detector R&D, cryogenic systems, photo-detectors, electronics, data acquisition, or low-background techniques is advantageous.

This is a full-time postdoctoral position with a one-year contract, renewable annually based on performance and funding. Applications should include a CV, research statement, and three reference letters sent to Dr. Simon Viel at [e-mail].

Review of applications begins on May 6th, 2024.

Carleton University values diversity and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including women, Indigenous persons, visible minorities, LGBTQ+ persons, and persons with disabilities. Priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents in accordance with immigration requirements. Support for accessibility needs is available upon request.