"Alerted.org

Research Associate - LUX-ZEPLIN Dark Matter Search

Job ID

6393

Location

SLAC - Menlo Park, CA

Full-Time

Temporary

SLAC Job Postings

Position Overview:

The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Dark Matter Group at SLAC has an immediate opening for a postdoctoral Research Associate. LZ is a liquid xenon time projection chamber with a 7-ton active target, located at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF). LZ recently achieved world-leading dark matter sensitivity in its short initial run, and has several years of science operations to come.

Our group is involved in a range of activities. We are conducting R&D towards LZ upgrades including HydroX, and detector R&D for the next generation XLZD experiment. The group is strongly involved in LZ science analysis and plays major roles in LZ detector operations and data processing. LZ computing is hosted at the National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC), which features a combination of CPUs and GPUs and opens the door to advanced machine learning techniques. The detector development work is carried out at the Liquid Noble Test Facility, which also hosts work by nEXO and DUNE. We welcome applications from candidates interested in working in any of these areas.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in physics or a related field or expect to receive their Ph.D. by the time the appointment begins. The applicant will be expected to play a leading role in the analysis of data from the ongoing runs of the LZ detector, including studying the sources of accidental coincidence events. The applicant will also participate in ongoing operations of the LZ detector. The other thrust of the work is R&D for the XLZD experiment, where the applicant will be expected to carry out work in one or more of the following areas: (1) development of high voltage grid electrodes with very low levels of electron emission and very high levels of radiopurity; (2) develop methods of liquid phase purification of liquid Xe, both for electronegative impurities and Rn; (3) develop cryogenic front-end electronics for read out of PMTs.

Given the nature of this position, SLAC is open to on-site and hybrid work options.

Qualifications:

+ Ph.D.in experimental particle physics or related field. Expertise in dark matter experiment and liquid noble detectors is preferred. Experienced candidates including other fields of physics will also be considered.

+ Knowledge in data analysis, and experience in hardware development will be required. Strong background in liquid noble detectors will be highly valued.

+ Ability to carry out independent research.

+ Effective written and verbal communication skills.

+ Ability to work and communicate effectively with a diverse population.

**Note:** This is a 24-month fixed term position with the possibility of extension contingent on project needs and budget. Research Associates are engaged with the design, support, operation and/or scientific exploitation of the major programs of the laboratory, under the guidance of their faculty or Senior Staff Scientist / Distinguished Staff Scientist supervisor. They are expected to work with a significant degree of independence on one or more specific tasks in support of the research program, frequently interacting with the laboratory¿s scientific community.

SLAC Employee Competencies:

+ **Effective Decisions** : Uses job knowledge and solid judgment to make quality decisions in a timely manner.

+ **Self-Development** : Pursues a variety of venues and opportunities to continue learning and developing.

+ **Dependability** : Can be counted on to deliver results with a sense of personal responsibility for expected outcomes.

+ **Initiative** : Pursues work and interactions proactively with optimism, positive energy, and motivation to move things forward.

+ **Adaptability** : Flexes as needed when change occurs, maintains an open outlook while adjusting and accommodating changes.

+ **Communication** : Ensures effective information flow to various audiences and creates and delivers clear, appropriate written, spoken, presented messages.

+ **Relationships** : Builds relationships to foster trust, collaboration, and a positive climate to achieve common goals.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

+ Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job. May work extended hours during peak business cycles.

Work Standards:

+ Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.

+ Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for environment, safety and security; communicates related concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned. Meets the applicable roles and responsibilities as described in the ESH Manual, Chapter 1¿General Policy and Responsibilities: http://www-group.slac.stanford.edu/esh/eshmanual/pdfs/ESHch01.pdf

+ Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University's Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

**Classification Title:** Research Associate-Experimental

**Duration:** Fixed Term

**Job Code:** 0127 **Grade:** G

_The expected pay range for this position is $70,000 to $100,000 per annum. SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory/Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs._

SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory is an Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer and supports diversity in the workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital or family status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or genetic information. All staff at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory must be able to demonstrate the legal right to work in the United States. SLAC is an E-Verify employer.