Postdoctoral Scholar - Particle Astrophysics - Wissel Lab

The Pennsylvania State University; Ferguson Township (PA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Particle Astrophysics group at Penn State is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work with Prof. Stephanie Wissel on experimental searches for the highest energy neutrinos, multi-messenger, and particle astrophysics.

If selected, you will explore the radio detection of ultra-high-energy neutrinos with the Hybrid Elevated Radio Observatory for Neutrinos (HERON). The candidate will build the phased array system for HERON and use it to search for tau neutrinos from a high-elevation mountain,

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Astrophysics, or a related field is required.
• Experience in radio instrumentation and/or particle astrophysics is advantageous but not required.
• Mentoring of junior scholars, including graduate and undergraduate students, is part of the role.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to ultra-high-energy (UHE) radio neutrino experiments.
• Develop novel instrumentation and expand the capabilities of HERON experiments.
• Develop analysis techniques to calibrate instruments and enhance sensitivity to astrophysical and cosmogenic neutrinos.
• Mentor junior scholars and engage in outreach to the public.

Skills

Radio instrumentation

Particle astrophysics

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Physics/Astrophysics or related field

Job description

The Particle Astrophysics group at Penn State is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work with Prof. Stephanie Wissel on experimental searches for the highest energy neutrinos, multi-messenger, and particle astrophysics.

If selected, you will explore the radio detection of ultra-high-energy neutrinos with the Hybrid Elevated Radio Observatory for Neutrinos (HERON).

The candidate will play a leading role in building the phased array system for HERON and use it to search for tau neutrinos from a high-elevation mountain.

The postdoctoral scholar will be expected to conduct research through instrument development, while also contributing to analysis, simulations, and/or monitoring.

There will be opportunities for field campaigns to the site in Argentina.

Previous experience in radio instrumentation and/or particle astrophysics is advantageous, but not required.

• Contributing to UHE radio neutrino experiments
• Developing novel instrumentation and expanding the capabilities of the experiments of HERON
• Developing analysis techniques that calibrate the instruments and enhance their sensitivity to astrophysical and cosmogenic neutrinos, both
• Mentoring of junior scholars, including graduate and undergraduate students, and outreach to the public

The candidate will be embedded in the Wissel Lab which includes researchers who also work on several experiments deployed around the world including in Antarctica and Greenland.

Experiments such as the Askaryan Radio Array (ARA) and the future radio component of IceCube-Gen2 at the South Pole and the Radio Neutrino Observatory in Greenland (RNO-G) search for EeV-scale neutrinos with antennas deployed in polar ice.

Balloon-borne experiments like the Payload for Ultra-high-Energy Observations (PUEO) and PBR search for neutrino interactions in the ice and upgoing tau neutrinos from a high altitude.

Penn State is a vibrant and stimulating environment for particle and multi-messenger astrophysics with ample opportunities for collaboration and career development.

The postdoctoral scholar will be embedded within the Particle Astrophysics group and the Center for Multi-Messenger Astrophysics (CMA) at the Institute for Gravitation and the Cosmos (IGC).

Penn State is a leading institution in multi-messenger astrophysics.

PSU hosts strong experimental groups UHE neutrinos as well as in LIGO, HELIX, Tigress, LZ, Project8, IceCube, GRAND, and Swift.

Penn State also has leading theoretical groups in particle astrophysics, gravitation, and cosmology.

A PhD in Physics, Astrophysics, or a related field is required.

Applications must be submitted electronically and include a CV, cover letter, and brief statement of research interests. Applicants should arrange for two reference letters to be submitted through Academic Jobs Online. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until a suitable candidate is found.

BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

BENEFITS

Penn State provides a competitive benefits package for full-time employees designed to support both personal and professional well-being. For more detailed information, please visit our Benefits Page. (Note: For Postdoctoral benefits, please see our Postdoctoral Benefits page.)

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