Career Center

Position Summary

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC) user facility for nuclear science. Hosting the most powerful heavy-ion accelerator, FRIB will provide intense beams of rare isotopes. FRIB will enable scientists to make discoveries about the properties of these rare isotopes to better understand the physics of atomic nuclei, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, and applications of rare isotopes benefitting society. To make optimal use of this new flagship rare-isotope facility, continued research and development in the areas of radiation transport, low-energy beam manipulation, scientific instrumentation, data acquisition, and advanced simulation is required.  

FRIB commenced scientific user operation in 2022. It is funded by DOE-SC, Michigan State University (MSU), and the State of Michigan, with user facility operation supported by the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics.

Research and Development Opportunities in FRIB Experimental Systems

The successful candidates will have the unique opportunity to contribute to one or more of the research and development projects listed below, as well as participate in a complementary science program associated with the development(s):

• FRIB’s Radiation Transport Group provides computational nuclear analysis, problem-solving tools, and technical solutions to quantify the effects of high-energy heavy ion beams interaction with matter and to support radiation safety. Research and development projects in this area include (Bollen, Ginter)
  • Efficient prediction of prompt and induced radiation effects from high-energy heavy ion beams interaction with matter
  • Use and further development of modeling and simulation for prediction, design, and evaluation of radiation mitigation measures
  • Benchmarking and validation of radiation transport codes and validation of calculation results with experimental data achieved during FRIB operation
  • Adding new capabilities to existing modeling and simulation software used at FRIB, including the employment of machine-learning techniques.
• Low-energy beam physics and related instrumentation including ion sources, beam stoppers, ion traps, and multi-reflection time-of-flight mass (MR-TOF) spectrometers (Ringle, Schwarz, Sumithrarachchi, Villari)
  • Development of advanced beam-stopping and beam purification techniques, including solid stoppers with ion sources, and related topics
  • High-performance computing and machine learning techniques for advanced simulation of beam stopping, ion trapping, and ion transport
  • Implementation and demonstration of MR-TOF for analysis of beam composition and beam purification, and mass measurements of short-lived rare isotopes
  • Analysis, characterization, and further development of next-generation detection techniques used in Penning trap mass spectrometry, such as PI-ICR and FT-ICR
• Data acquisition for nuclear spectroscopy and reactions studies (Cerizza)
  • Development of new readout systems for high-channel-count detector systems
  • Development of a modular analysis pipeline for experimental nuclear science
  • Integration of Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence algorithms in data analysis tasks
• Magnetic spectrometers and related instrumentation (Bazin, Villari)
  • Developments for the characterization and calibration of magnetic separators for low- and intermediate-energy beams
  • Development of novel detector concepts, for example, xenon liquid calorimeters for improved identification of recoil nuclei in large-acceptance spectrometers, or crystal scintillators calorimeters for heavy ion beams
  • Development of computational tools to produce synthetic data simulating experiments with magnetic spectrometers and auxiliary detectors.
• Auxiliary detectors and instrumentation to maximize scientific productivity with rare isotope beams, for example, the development of large-size high-rate position-sensitive detector systems for intermediate energy beams (Bazin, Villari)
• All postdoctoral researchers are expected to be active members of the department, interact with graduate students and instrument scientists, contribute to the experimental program, and publish results in a timely fashion.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge in relevant fields of nuclear physics.
• Ability to perform independent research.
• Ability to problem solve using technical solutions.
• Skill with programming languages (C/C++, Python).
• Skill with office software for typesetting and presentation, e.g., Microsoft Office.
• Ability to communicate effectively and credibly, both verbally and in writing with all audiences.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate

Minimum Requirements

• PhD. in nuclear physics, nuclear or radiochemistry, nuclear astrophysics, atomic physics, analytical mass spectrometry, or related fields.
• An ability to carry out independent and original research as demonstrated by published works in refereed journals and/or conference proceedings.
• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills, as evidenced by published works and by presentations at conferences, workshops, scientific outreach, and other professional meetings.
• Strong research and development interest, demonstrated in the cover letter, in one or more of the specific development topics listed above.
• Demonstrated experience with the development of computer programs for the purpose of acquiring and analyzing data, or simulations related to radiation transport, or ion beam optics, or detector characterization.

Desired Qualifications

• Programming skills in C/C⁺⁺, or Python.
• Experience in using ROOT and Geant4.
• Experience in nuclear electronics and data acquisition.
• Experience in detector design and assembly.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze experimental data.
• Demonstrated experience with beam stopping, beam manipulation, and ion trap techniques used in nuclear science experiments for opportunity.

Required Application Materials

• Cover letter highlighting area of interest and experience related to position
• CV including complete list of publications and presentations
• Contact information for at least three references

Together-we-will Statement

Special Instructions

Review of applications will begin on January 9, 2023, and continue until positions are filled.

• Cover letter highlighting area of interest and experience related to position
• CV including complete list of publications and presentations
• Contact information for at least three references

Review of Applications Begins On

01/09/2023

Website

https://frib.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.

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About Michigan State University

Spartans work every day to advance the common good in uncommon ways.Together, we tackle some of the world?s toughest problems to find solutions that make life better?from alternative energy to better food safety to breakthrough medical and environmental applications achieved through rare isotope research.We teach. We explore and we discover. We collaborate and lead. We innovate, inspire, and empower. We achieve our potential and create circumstances that help our students and others achieve theirs.We're good at it, and we've been at it for more than 150 years.The nation?s pioneer land-grant university, MSU began as a bold experiment that democratized higher education and helped bring science and innovation into everyday life. The revolutionary concept became a model for the nation.Today, MSU is one of the top research universities in the world?on one of the biggest, greenest campuses in the nation. Home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs, we?re a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, scientists and leaders.In ways both practical and profound, we work to create a stronger, more sustainable, and more hopeful future for all.

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