Fermilab Theory Division 2027 Research Associate

National Society for Black Engineers; Batavia (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, and FSA

Paid time off

Life insurance

Disability insurance—short and long

Retirement benefits

On-site day care

Job summary

Fermilab’s Theory Division invites applications for Postdoctoral Research Associates starting fall 2027. The three-year term supports self-directed research in areas including collider phenomenology, dark matter, early universe, lattice QCD, and more.

Collaboration with senior staff and other postdocs is encouraged. The Division lists a broad research program and strong ties to national initiatives in AI and quantum, with a focus on producing impactful theoretical advances.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in theoretical physics or closely related field by Sep 1, 2027.
• Demonstrated experience in theoretical physics research.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with environmental, health and safety regulations and practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform self-directed theoretical physics research.
• Collaborate with senior scientific staff and other postdocs.
• Engage with topics across collider phenomenology, cosmology, and beyond the standard model.

Skills

Ph.D. in theoretical physics or field

Excellent communication skills

Education

PhD in theoretical physics

Job description

The Fermilab Theory Division invites applications for one or more postdoctoral research appointments starting in the fall of 2027. Postdoctoral Research Associates in the Fermilab Theory Division are appointed for a three (3) year term. We are seeking candidates with a doctorate in theoretical physics or theoretical astrophysics who have demonstrated outstanding creativity and a high level of competence in conducting their research.

Research Associates are expected to perform self-directed theoretical physics research on topics of their own choosing and are encouraged to work with members of the senior scientific staff and other postdocs within the Division. The Fermilab Theory Division research program includes collider phenomenology, dark matter and dark energy, the early universe, lattice QCD, large-scale structure and evolution, Higgs & flavor physics, high-energy particle astrophysics, neutrino physics, numerical cosmology, perturbative QCD, physics beyond the standard model, quantum simulation of quantum field theories, quantum algorithms, and quantum sensing and technology for probing fundamental physics. The Theory Division's research program is well aligned with the National Initiatives in AI and Quantum, including the Genesis mission, and candidates working in these areas are strongly encouraged to apply.

The senior scientific staff of the Division consists of Asher Berlin, John Campbell, Bogdan Dobrescu, Scott Dodelson, George Fleming, Patrick Fox, Nick Gnedin, Roni Harnik, Stefan Hoeche, Gordan Krnjaic, Andreas Kronfeld, Henry Lamm, Pedro Machado, Stephen Parke, Noemi Rocco, Albert Stebbins, Ruth Van de Water, and Michael Wagman.

The Division has strong connections to the Fermilab experimental program as well as Fermilab’s Superconducting Quantum Materials and Systems center (SQMS), Fermilab’s National Quantum Initiative (NQI) center, the University of Chicago, and the Kavli Institute for Cosmological Physics. Further details can be found on our website: https://theory.fnal.gov/

Qualifications

• Candidates should have obtained a Ph.D. in theoretical physics, or a closely related field, or expect to earn a Ph.D. in the same fields, by September 1, 2027.
• Demonstrated experience in theoretical physics research.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.

Work Arrangement

• Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final.
• Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia office.

To learn more about members of the Particle Theory Department and the Theory Division, please visit https://theory.fnal.gov/

For other general information about these positions, please contact the Theory Division Administrator Olivia Vizcarra at [e-mail].

Benefits/Perks

Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
• Paid time off
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits
• On-site day care