Postdoctoral Research Associate

Fermilab; Batavia (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, FSA

Paid time off

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement benefits

On-site day care

Job summary

Fermilab invites applications for Postdoctoral Research Associates in the Theory Division starting fall 2027. Appointments are for a three-year term and emphasize self-directed theoretical physics research in collaboration with senior staff and other postdocs. Areas include collider phenomenology, dark matter, early universe, lattice QCD, and more.

Onsite Batavia office. Candidates should hold a PhD in theoretical physics or related field by Sep 1, 2027, with strong research track record and

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.
• Abides by EH&S regulations and practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform self-directed theoretical physics research on topics of own choosing.
• Collaborate with senior staff and other postdocs within the Division.
• Contribute to ongoing projects in areas such as collider phenomenology, dark matter, cosmology and quantum information.

Skills

Research experience

Communication skills

Education

PhD in theoretical physics or related field

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/.

Work Arrangement:

• Onsite: This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia office.

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.

Benefits/Perks:

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