Organizational Overview

The Omega Group in the Physics Department at BNL focuses on the ATLAS experiment at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. We have a strong physics program concentrated on measurements of Standard Model processes (Electroweak, Higgs, QCD) and on searches for new physical phenomena (involving Higgs, dark matter, supersymmetry, and exotics). The Omega Group has major responsibilities in the operation of the ATLAS Liquid Argon calorimeter, Trigger/Data Acquisition, and software development, and has leading roles in the ATLAS HL-LHC upgrade (Silicon Strip detector, Liquid Argon calorimeter, and Trigger/Data Acquisition). The group also has strong detector R&D programs on silicon detectors and in Trigger/Data Acquisition. BNL serves as the host laboratory for the U.S. ATLAS Operations Program, the U.S. ATLAS HL-LHC Upgrade Project, the ATLAS Tier-1 computing facility, and is an active U.S. ATLAS Center.

Position Description

The Omega Group in the Physics Department has an opening for an applied postdoc to contribute to the construction of the silicon strip detector, ITk, for the ATLAS HL-LHC Upgrade. The successful applicant is expected to take a leading role in the production of staves for the barrel ITk strip system in the quality control assessment and participate in the most technically demanding aspects of the ITk strip barrel construction. This work will be undertaken in two cleanroom facilities at BNL, and will include electrical and data acquisition testing of staves, operation of high-precision assembly systems, optical and laser metrology systems, test results analysis, uploading of test results to a database and bookkeeping. Contributions to detector integration, installation, and commissioning activities are foreseen. The successful applicant will join a team of physicists, engineers, postdocs, students, and technicians. This position has a high level of interaction with an international and multicultural scientific community.

Position Requirements

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to construction, testing, and data quality assessment of a large silicon-strip tracking detector for the ATLAS HL-LHC Upgrade (ITk)
• ​​Troubleshoot and solve technical, logistical, organizational, and software-related problems
• Communicate effectively with the ITk team at BNL as well as national and international ITk collaborators in ATLAS

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ph.D. in experimental particle, nuclear or applied physics, or in a related engineering discipline
• Experience with detector testing, construction, commissioning, operations or R&D
• Experience in programming (e.g. Python, C++) and operating Linux and Windows OS
• Good organizational and team-working skills
• Ability to work in a large international collaboration
• Clear and concise verbal and written communication skills
• Proven ability for disseminating research results by writing manuscripts and giving academic presentations

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Experience with silicon detector testing, construction, commissioning, operations and/or R&D
• Experience with data acquisition systems and detector electronics
• Experience interfacing with databases
• Experience working in collaboration with technicians and engineers
• Experience with data analysis and knowledge of statistical techniques for data analysis

OTHER INFORMATION:

• This is a fully onsite position based at BNL
• Domestic and international travel should be expected
• Initial 2-year term appointment subject to renewal contingent on performance and funding.
• This position will be under the direction of Dr. Michael Begel
• BNL policy requires that after obtaining a PhD, eligible candidates for research associate appointments may not exceed a combined total of 5 years of relevant work experience as a post-doc and/or in an R&D position, excluding time associated with family planning, military service, illness or other life-changing events.                                

Please express your interest via electronic application including cover letter, CV, and a Statement of Interest as Word documents or PDF.

Please arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent to physicsLOR@bnl.gov with a subject line referring to this job posting (Req# 3696) and cc: to Michael Begel (begel@bnl.gov). 

The application is complete when all of these items have been received.

Consideration of applications will begin April 15, 2023 and continue until the position is filled.

At Brookhaven National Laboratory we believe that a comprehensive employee benefits program is an important and meaningful part of the compensation employees receive. Our benefits program includes, but is not limited to:

• Medical Plans
• Dental Plans
• Vacation
• Holidays
• Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Swimming Pool, Weight Room, Tennis Courts, and many other employee perks and benefits