Postdoctoral Research Associate

Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory; City of Batavia (NY); On-site; USD 70,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Paid time off

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement benefits

Onsite day care

Job summary

Fermilab in Batavia, IL, seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Accelerator Directorate to conduct high-fidelity beam dynamics simulations of Fermilab accelerators, including the Booster, Main Injector, and IOTA, to support operations and upgrades.

Under supervision, the candidate will develop and validate simulation models, compare results with measurements, and publish findings at conferences and in refereed journals.

Qualifications

• PhD completed or expected within the current calendar year.
• Demonstrated expertise in beam dynamics simulations using ImpactX.
• Ability to develop, validate, and publish results from simulation studies.

Responsibilities

• Perform high-fidelity beam dynamics simulations of Fermilab accelerators, including the Booster, Main Injector, and IOTA, to support current operations and future upgrades.
• Develop, validate, and benchmark simulation models against beam measurements and operational data.
• Apply simulation results to improve accelerator performance and assess upgrade feasibility.
• Participate in beam studies, data acquisition and analysis, and present outcomes at conferences and in refereed journals.
• Abide by all safety regulations and perform duties accordingly.

Skills

ImpactX beam dynamics simulations

Education

PhD in Accelerator Physics or related field

Tools

ImpactX

Job description

The expected hiring range for this position is: $69,800.00-$92,600.00. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

About the Role:

Fermilab is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate within our Accelerator Directorate. Under general direction and in consultation with more experienced scientists, the Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct research related to the overall mission of the Laboratory, with a focus on high-fidelity beam dynamics simulations of Fermilab accelerators, including the Booster, Main Injector, and IOTA, to support current operations and future upgrades. Research may be within any scientific or technology development activity of the appointee's Division. Appointees do not have specific line or organizational responsibilities. The Research Associate appointment is for a specific term, calculated from the time of arrival at Fermilab. Term may be extended as appropriate.

What your day‑to‑day as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Fermilab will look like:

• Perform high-fidelity beam dynamics simulations of Fermilab accelerators, including the Booster, Main Injector, and IOTA, to support current operations and future upgrades.
• Develop, validate, and benchmark simulation models against beam measurements and operational data.
• Apply the results of simulations and studies to improve accelerator performance and to assess the feasibility of upgrade scenarios.
• Participate in beam studies, data acquisition, and analysis, and present or publish the outcomes at conferences and in refereed journals.
• 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.

Essential Competencies and Attributes for Success :

Appointees usually have recently completed their PhD (often within the last two years) or are expected to complete it within the current calendar year.

Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Demonstrated expertise in beam dynamics simulations using ImpactX.
• Demonstrated potential to make contributions to the Laboratory that will subsequently qualify them for appointment as an Associate Scientist.

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.

Benefits/Perks:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision and Flexible Spending Account
• Paid time-off
• Life insurance
• Short and Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Onsite day care

Why Fermilab:

Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.

Pre‑Employment Screening:

Drug‑Free Workplace & Pre‑Employment Screening

Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug‑free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening.

HSPD‑12 In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD‑12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD‑12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

Foreign Government Sponsored Activities Fermilab employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab’s Office of General Counsel.

REAL‑ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL‑ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories. Fermilab is the United States' premier particle physics laboratory. We work on the world's largest and most advanced particle accelerators and dig down to the tiniest building blocks of matter. We probe the farthest reaches of the universe, seeking out the nature of dark matter and dark energy. Fermilab's over 2,000 employees include scientists and engineers from all around the world and collaborators from more than 50 countries on physics experiments based in the United States and elsewhere. Our work experience is the combination of everything that's unique about us: our culture, our core values, our company meetings, our commitment to sustainability, our recognition programs, but most importantly, our people. To learn more about Fermilab's employee programs, visit our main Careers site. Please contact [e-mail] to request accommodations for completing the application process.