CENPA Job Openings

Faculty Position: Research Assistant, Associate, or Full Professor - CENPA

Position Description

The Center for Experimental Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics (CENPA) at the University of Washington, Seattle has a rare opportunity for a full-time (100% FTE, 12-month service term) research faculty member who, depending on qualifications, may be hired at the rank of Assistant Research Professor, Associate Research Professor, or Research Professor. The position is expected to start Fall Quarter 2024, subject to candidate availability. The position is not tenure eligible.

Position Description

The Center for Experimental Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics (CENPA) at the University of Washington, Seattle has a rare opportunity for a full-time (100% FTE, 12-month service term) research faculty member who, depending on qualifications, may be hired at the rank of Assistant Research Professor, Associate Research Professor, or Research Professor. The position is expected to start Fall Quarter 2024, subject to candidate availability. The position is not tenure eligible. 

The base salary range for this position will be $5,768–$14,000 per month, commensurate with experience and qualifications, or as mandated by a U.S. Department of Labor prevailing wage determination.

The role of this research faculty member will be to lead research that strengthens and expands CENPA efforts, in alignment with the NSAC 2023 Long Range Plan for Nuclear Science. The successful candidate will be expected to innovate, develop creative solutions, lead, mentor, and support the department's commitment to inclusivity. The work will be performed in a stimulating atmosphere on the campus of UW, a leading US public research university, in close collaboration with scientists, students, engineers, and technicians at CENPA. All University of Washington faculty engage in teaching, research, and service. For research faculty, teaching responsibilities are primarily mentoring of students and postdocs.

CENPA is a “Center of Excellence” funded by the DOE’s Office of Nuclear Physics. It is a fertile environment for experimental nuclear physics in the area of Fundamental Symmetries and Neutrinos, with a focus on searches for physics beyond the Standard Model. Many experiments are developed at CENPA, including LEGEND, He6-CRES, Project 8, Selena, PIONEER, and others. The professional engineering and technical staff provide diverse competencies and skills for state-of-the-art detector and instrumentation development, design, prototyping and construction. Our Center’s capabilities cover every detail for the successful execution of physics experiments, including mechanics, electronics, UHV techniques and cryogenics. More details can be found in recent CENPA Annual Reports.

Qualifications

Applicants are required to have a PhD or foreign equivalent in Physics or a relevant field and an established research record (beyond their PhD work) in experimental nuclear physics.

 

(See full description with application instructions:  https://ap.washington.edu/ahr/position-details/?job_id=129677)

 

Research Engineer 3

The Center for Experimental Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics (CENPA) has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 3.

CENPA is a fertile environment for experimental nuclear physics in the area of Fundamental Symmetries and Neutrinos, in the search for physics beyond the Standard Model. Many experiments are developed at CENPA, including LEGEND, He6-CRES, Project 8, KATRIN, Selena, DAMIC, COHERENT, Muon g-2, PIONEER, ADMX, and searches for deviations of the laws of gravity. The Research Scientist/Engineer 3 would ideally bring experience in both precision experimental physics and in high-performance computing.  We envision that the successful candidate would contribute significantly to one or more of the ongoing programs, in consultation with the Director, to support our Van de Graaff accelerator upgrades, and to support the laboratory’s IT systems administration and manage the computer cluster.

RESEARCH SCIENTIST/ENGINEER 4

RESEARCH SCIENTIST/ENGINEER 4

Req #: 221836
Department: PHYSICS/CENPA
Job Location: Seattle Campus
Posting Date: 05/05/2023 
Closing Info: Open Until Filled 
Salary: $6,467 - $9,200 per month 
Other Compensation:  
Shift: First Shift 
Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.

 

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world. 

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty. 

The Center for Experimental Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics (CENPA) has an outstanding opportunity for a Research Scientist/Engineer 4.

CENPA is a fertile environment for experimental nuclear physics in the area of Fundamental Symmetries and Neutrinos, in the search for physics beyond the Standard Model. The Project 8 and He6-CRES experiments run locally in our lab.  They are both advancing new techniques for nuclear beta spectroscopy based on measuring the cyclotron radiation emitted by betas in a magnetic field. The radiation frequency is in the microwave range, so the associated data acquisition systems are similar to those employed in radio-wave astronomy or HEP experiments. The Research Scientist/Engineer 4 would bring experience in such DAQ systems to the CENPA projects and would be a fully collaborative scientific member of the team.

Many other experiments are developed at CENPA, including LEGEND, KATRIN, Selena, DAMIC, COHERENT, Muon g-2, MuSun, PIONEER, ADMX, searches for deviations of the laws of gravity, and others. The Research Scientist/Engineer 4 may develop activities within those other experiments, as opportunities and needs arise.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
  • (40%) Data: Implement techniques for high-speed digitization (on the scale of 5 Gsamples/s), real-time data manipulation, data streaming at high-speeds (on the scale of 1 GB/s), and managing/optimizing large 100TB data samples.
  • (30%) Hardware controls: Architect, design, implement, modify, verify, and evaluate FPGA designs and schematics. Translate PI experiment requirements into functional FPGA designs using VHDL, PDL.
  • (10%) High Performance Computing (HPC): Work with HPC cluster packages and schedulers such as OpenHPC, Slurm, Torque, Grid Engine, etc. to guide in MPI and parallel computing/scaling, Implement techniques for efficient management and computation on large datasets and optimize scientific compute workflows.
  • (10%) Hardware Design: Design and develop modular, reusable, and scalable hardware architecture for all research groups with detail plans using Solidworks, Inventor, or similar.
  • (5%) Software Engineer: Planning and engineering of software solutions. Authoring, testing, deploying and maintaining customized software solutions.
  • (5%) Perform related duties as required.

    MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
  • PhD in Phyiscs or related field + 3-5 years experience in related area

    Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.

    ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
  • Multi-language programming language and optimization.
  • Understanding of how Physics Analysis is performed on a large experiment.

    DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience in (or willingness to learn) techniques for high-speed digitization (on the scale of 5 Gsamples/s).
  • Experience in related problems of recording data at high-speeds (on the scale of 1 GB/s) and dealing with large data samples (on the scale of 10-100 TB).
  • Experience in (or willingness to learn) ASIC development, FPGA design.
  • Professional training in hardware or software design.

    Application Process:  
    The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.

Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, the University of Washington will honor your experiences, perspectives and unique identity. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable and welcoming.

The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or dso@uw.edu.

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law.

COVID-19 VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

Employees of the University of Washington are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 unless a medical or religious exemption is approved. Being fully vaccinated means that an individual is at least two weeks past their final dose of an authorized COVID-19 vaccine regimen. As a condition of employment, newly hired employees will be required to provide proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. View the Final candidate guide to COVID-19 vaccination requirement webpage for information about the medical or religious exemption process for final candidates.

APPLY:   https://uwhires.admin.washington.edu/eng/candidates/default.cfm?szCatego...

Postdoctoral Scholar - Axion Dark-Matter eXperiment (ADMX)

Postdoctoral Scholar - Axion Dark-Matter eXperiment (ADMX)

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral scholar appointment with the Axion Dark-Matter
eXperiment (ADMX). The position is full-time, 12-month (one-year) appointment, which may
be extended, subject to funding and mutual agreement. The Postdoctoral Scholar title is limited
to five years, including postdoctoral experience(s) at UW and other institutions. Funding for this
position is expected to continue through the duration of the current phase of ADMX, 3 or more
years, or until the 5 year limit on postdoctoral scholar positions is reached.
ADMX, a RF-cavity search for axion dark matter in our galactic halo sited at the University of
Washington, is a flagship DOE “Generation 2” dark-matter search. It is in operation after an
extensive upgrade to ultra-low noise JPA microwave amplification and 3-He cooling.
Our group’s technical interests include spectral signal estimation, development of cryogenic and
vacuum instrumentation, and research on microwave resonators and quantum-limited low-noise
microwave electronics. The successful applicant will share our group’s interest in experimental
cosmology, broadly considered, and our interest in challenging measurements. In collaboration
with other ADMX institutions, tasks include operation of the detector, upgrades to the cryogenic
and vacuum systems, data analysis and development of detector technology for next-generation axion searches.
Postdoctoral scholars are represented by UAW 4121 and are subject to the collective bargaining
agreement, unless agreed exclusion criteria apply. For more information, please visit the
University of Washington Labor Relations website.

Qualifications
Applicants must have a Ph.D. (or foreign equivalent) in Physics, Astronomy, or a closely related
field at the time of hire.

Application Instructions
To apply or for more information please contact Professor Gray Rybka ( grybka@uw.edu )

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status.

Commitment to Diversity
The University of Washington is committed to building diversity among its faculty, librarian, staff, and student communities, and articulates that commitment in the UW Diversity Blueprint (http://www.washington.edu/diversity/diversity-blueprint). Additionally, the University’s Faculty Code recognizes faculty efforts in research, teaching and/or service that address diversity and equal opportunity as important contributions to a faculty member’s academic profile and responsibilities (https://www.washington.edu/admin/rules/policies/FCG/FCCH24.html#2432).

COVID-19 Vaccine Requirements and Information
Under Washington State Governor Inslee’s Proclamation 21-14.1, University of Washington (UW) workers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and provide proof thereof, or receive a UW-approved medical or religious exemption. This requirement will be a condition of any offer associated with this recruitment. For more information, please visit https://www.washington.edu/coronavirus/vaccination-requirement.