Postdoctoral Scholar in Experimental Collider Physics

1000scholars; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 63,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Postdoc benefits package

Job summary

The University of Chicago ATLAS group invites applications for one or more Postdoctoral Scholar positions spanning the full breadth of our ATLAS program at CERN. Starting dates as early as September 1, 2026, with rolling reviews through August 31, 2027, up to two hires.

Opportunities across hardware, software, and physics analyses, including AI/ML integration. Ideal candidates will have a PhD by Aug 31, 2027, within seven years of the degree, and a strong independent research record.

Qualifications

• A PhD in physics, applied physics, or a closely related field, completed by the time of appointment (by Aug 31, 2027).
• Within seven years of the award of their PhD for the duration of the appointment.
• Strong record of research accomplishments and the ability to work independently within a large collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Contribute across hardware and detector operations, and physics analyses.
• Work on machine learning approaches for object identification and reconstruction.
• Engage in collider physics analyses and performance studies with the ATLAS group.

Skills

Particle physics instrumentation

Detector hardware familiarity

Trigger/data acquisition

ML methods

C++/Python

Education

PhD in physics or related field

Tools

C++

Python

ML libraries

Job description

Position Description

The University of Chicago ATLAS group invites applications for one or more Postdoctoral Scholar positions spanning the full breadth of our program on the ATLAS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider. We are a strong, well-resourced group with deep and long-standing involvement in ATLAS, and we are eager to welcome outstanding new colleagues. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, with starting dates as early as September 1, 2026, and continuing through August 31, 2027. We anticipate up to two hires over this window.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to contribute across a research program that extends from hardware and detector operations through to physics measurements and searches, with AI/ML opportunities woven throughout. Depending on interests and expertise, work may include:

• Detector and trigger systems, including operations, commissioning, and upgrades of the TileCal hadronic calorimeter, real-time trigger systems, and ITk, the new all-silicon Inner Tracker for the ATLAS Phase-II upgrade, including construction, integration, and performance studies.
• Combined Performance, including object (jets, tracks) reconstruction, heavy-flavor (b-/c-jet) and boosted object tagging, electron/photon identification, and trigger menu optimization.
• Physics analysis, including precision measurements of the Higgs boson and searches for physics beyond the Standard Model.
• Machine learning, including modern ML-based approaches to object identification and reconstruction, spanning real-time (trigger-level) and offline applications.

We welcome candidates who wish to specialize deeply in one of these areas as well as those who want to work across the hardware–software–physics spectrum. The group will work with each hire to shape a research portfolio that matches their strengths and career goals.

Applications and candidates must meet the following requirements:

• A PhD in physics, applied physics, or a closely related field, completed by the time of appointment (up to August 31, 2027).
• To be eligible for a postdoctoral appointment, candidates must be within seven years of the award of their PhD for the duration of the appointment.
• A record of research accomplishments appropriate to career stage, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a large collaboration.

Ideal candidate will have experience in collider physics or closely allied fields of experimental particle physics, with preferred skills and experience including:

• Particle physics instrumentation and detector hardware or operations familiarity, trigger and data acquisition systems, calorimetry or silicon tracking, object reconstruction and performance, heavy-flavor tagging, or LHC physics analysis.
• Familiarity with modern machine learning methods and their application to reconstruction, identification, or real-time processing.
• Strong software development skills (e.g., C++, Python) and experience with large-scale data analysis.
• Willingness to spend extended periods at CERN as required by the research program.

Compensation and Benefits

The annual salary range for this position is $63,480–$93,640. The final salary offered will depend on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and career stage, consistent with University policy. This position is eligible for the University of Chicago's comprehensive postdoctoral benefits package, which includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, and other benefits; details are available at the University of Chicago Office of Postdoctoral Affairs: https://intranet.uchicago.edu/human-resources/services/benefits/benefits-for-postdocs

The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-834-3988 or email [e-mail] with their request.