Postdoctoral Research Associate Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

Requisition Id 16491 

PDAA

­­Overview:  

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate who will focus on the LEGEND program’s search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of Ge-76.  This position resides in the Neutrino Research Group in the Fundemental Nuclear & Particle Physics Section, Physics Division, Physical Sciences Directorate at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).

As part of our research team, you will play an active role in the search for neutrinoless double-beta decay of Ge-76 with the LEGEND-200 experiment, currently operating at LNGS, help lead the R&D, design, and implementation of the LEGEND-1000 experiment, and pursue R&D that extends the physics potential of low-background, rare-event searches.  

The successful candidate will work closely with a range of students, other postdoctoral fellows, scientific and engineering staff, visiting scholars, as well as a large network of international collaborators. Networking opportunities extend to the group’s broad research program in low-energy neutrino interactions at the SNS and HFIR, as well as research programs in fundamental symmetries and nuclear physics within the ORNL Physics Division. Further, ORNL supports an active postdoctoral program, which provides research support, professional development, and social activities.

Major Duties/Responsibilities: 

• Assume a leading role in one or more of the group’s contributions to the LEGEND program:
  • Contribute to the LEGEND-200 data analysis and the development of advanced analysis routines
  • Contribute to the R&D on advanced instrumentation, design, and simulations of the next generation LEGEND-1000 experiment.
  • Develop new low-background materials, scintillators, and production techniques, including custom synthesis of PEN and clean additive manufacturing processes
  • Integrate AI/ML into experimental design, data analysis, and detector performance evaluation workflows
• Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in experimental nuclear physics, particle physics, or a closely related field completed within the last 5 years

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hardware and/or data analysis/simulations experience relevant to rare event searches
• Demonstrated experience with low-background detectors, cryogenic liquid scintillators, plastic scintillators, additive manufacturing, and/or Ge detector technology
• Advanced computer programming experience, including parallel computing frameworks, C/C++, Julia and/or python
• Experience with training AI surrogate and/or inverse models
• Experience working in underground laboratories and/or clean rooms
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to actively engage with international collaborators.

Special Requirements:

Security, Credentialing, and Eligibility Requirements

For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required.  Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.
To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation.  This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year.  This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment.  Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

Postdocs:

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

Letters of Recommendation:

Please arrange for three letters of reference when applying to this position. Letters should be sent to  postdocrecruitment@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.

Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:

• Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
• View Profile
• Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document

About ORNL

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.

If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.

ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply.  UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.