Postdoctoral Researcher

University of Kansas; Tipton; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas, Department of Physics and Astronomy, seeks a postdoctoral researcher in experimental high energy physics to advance Higgs physics data analysis within the CMS program.

Starting December 15, 2026, for an initial one-year appointment with potential renewal up to five years; duties include data analysis, detector R&D, machine learning, and mentoring students; collaboration with Professor Elliot Reynolds.

Qualifications

• PhD in physics by appointment date.
• At least 1 year of experience in experimental high energy physics or related field.

Responsibilities

• Higgs physics data analysis within CMS collaboration, with potential leadership in analysis development.
• Contribute to detector performance work and software for collider experiments.
• Explore future collider projects, including detector R&D and feasibility studies.
• Assist faculty in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students, and participate in meetings.

Skills

Experimental techniques

Collider software

Particle physics data analysis

Object performance

Detector design & upgrades

Machine learning

Communication skills

Education

PhD in physics

Tools

ROOT

Geant4

Python

Job description

Position Overview

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kansas seeks to fill a postdoctoral researcher position in experimental high energy physics.

Starting Date: December 15, 2026, or as soon thereafter as the position can be filled (also negotiable).

Length of Appointment: The initial appointment would be for at least one year with the possibility of renewal annually subject to review and to continued funding availability, and would not be more than five years in total.

GENERAL DUTIES: Research in Experimental High Energy Physics. The successful candidate would contribute to several aspects of the experimental high energy physics group's research program, including Higgs physics data analysis, and potentially including machine learning training and/or development, detector design, upgrade work, service work, development and operation, event simulation, potentially other CMS-related activities, and publication of research results.Conduct research in experimental high energy physics within the CMS collaboration, and potentially towards future colliders, under the supervision of Professor Elliot Reynolds. This entails participation in relevant facets of the overall research endeavor, potentially encompassing almost any aspect of the life-cycle of high energy physics experiments.

40% - Higgs physics analysis using the CMS data. The successful candidate would be anticipated to take a leading role in Higgs physics data analysis, e.g., focused on off-shell Higgs boson production. This potentially includes, e.g.: development of new techniques applicable to physics analysis; data processing/reduction; machine learning training and/or development; physics event simulation; event reconstruction and/or selection design; signal and background modeling; estimation of systematic uncertainties; statistical inference; and documentation, presentation and publication of research results.

40% - Appropriate contributions to the group's current and/or future responsibilities in the CMS experiment. This would likely focus, at least in part, on experimental physics object performance work, e.g., focused on the physics of jets and missing transverse momentum. Other areas of mutual interest may be possible.

10% - Potential contributions towards future colliders. This potentially includes, e.g.: experimental design efforts;feasibility studies; prospective analysis work; detector prototyping; and detector R&D.

10% - Assist the faculty in guiding the group's graduate and undergraduate students. This potentially includes, e.g.: co-analyzing CMS data; reviewing student work; providing physics and technical support; reviewing draft documents; providing guidance and mentorship; and contributing to group and analysis meetings.

Required Qualifications

1. A Ph.D. in physics by date of appointment.
2. At least 1 year of experience in experimental high energy physics or a related experimental field, either during their Ph.D. or afterwards.

To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title or equivalent title, it is necessary to have the Ph.D. in hand. Appointments made without a certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires and are appointed on an Acting basis not to exceed 6-months. Appointment duration will be extended upon final verification of degree.

This position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure that candidates have advanced knowledge, analytical skills and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties of the position. The level of degree is commonly recognized as the standard qualification for similar roles in the public and private sector, ensuring that the university remains competitive with industry aligned practices, enhances collaboration with external partners, and supports the delivery of services and programs that meet professional and market-driven expectations.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience and ability in experimental techniques and software relevant to collider experiments.
2. Experience and ability in particle physics data analysis.
3. Experience and ability in experimental physics object performance work.
4. Experience and ability with particle detector design, upgrades/development and/or operation.
5. Experience and ability in the development, training and/or implementation of machine learning algorithms.
6. Good communication skills.

Contact Information to Applicants

Professor Elliot Reynolds

[e-mail]

Additional Candidate Instruction

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

Application review begins Thursday, October 1st and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is identified.

Work Schedule

M-F 8-5

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX, [e-mail], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.