Job Title: Spin Physics Research Associate

The Spin Physics Group at the University of Virginia has an immediate opening for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. Join our team and contribute to our innovative physics program working in spin phenomena in particle and nuclear physics, solid-state spin and polarized target technology, 3D structure of the nucleon, physics beyond the standard model, and future facilities and experiments.

We invite applications from creative researchers with Spin Physics expertise to play a leading role in our research effort. Our group currently has three senior members, two post-doctoral research associates, and a team of students. The successful candidate will join our efforts at Fermilab on the SpinQuest experiment. We also have projects in all experimental Halls at Jefferson Lab and are also involved in future projects at CERN and the EIC. The successful candidate can also participate in our collaboration with the UVA Data Science Institute and the Center for Nuclear Femtography in the pursuit of optimized information extraction and modeling using machine learning tools. The successful candidate will join our efforts at Fermilab on the SpinQuest experiment. We also have projects in all experimental Halls at Jefferson Lab. The associate would likely be expected to station at Fermilab with some travel to UVA and Jefferson Lab, however, due to COVID-19, this arrangement in the early stage is highly flexible.

The UVA Spin Physics group performs cutting-edge research in cryogenic polarized target systems at the intersection of low temperature solid-state and nuclear/particle physics. We are taking a central role in the upcoming SpinQuest experiment which uses the Fermilab 120 GeV proton beam on a polarized target to measure the Sivers Function from the Drell-Yan process. The candidate would likely be expected to initially station at Fermilab with some travel to UVA and Jefferson Lab, however, due to COVID-19 this arrangement in the early stage is highly flexible.

QUALIFICATIONS: A Ph.D. in experimental or theoretical nuclear, particle or high-energy physics (or closely related field) by the start date. The successful candidate must have good written and verbal communication skills as indicated by scientific publications in preeminent refereed journals, conference presentations, etc., and must possess a general knowledge of nuclear and particle physics.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Apply online at https://uva.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UVAJobs and attach the following items as a single complied PDF in the “Resume” field.

• A cover letter that explains why you are interested in joining the UVA Spin Physics group in this unique position, how the position fits into your career goals, and a brief summary of your relevant research experience (max. 2 pages).

• Curriculum vitae

• Contact information for three (3) references if not already included in the CV. Listing them here represents permission to contact them unless you specify otherwise in your cover letter.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin on July 4, 2020, and the position will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

This is a one-year appointment that may be renewed contingent upon available funding and satisfactory performance. 

For questions regarding this position, please contact Dustin Keller, Ph.D. Research Assistant Professor, at dustin@virginia.edu.

For questions about the application process, please contact Rich Haverstrom, Faculty Search Advisor, at rkh6j@virginia.edu.

For more information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit postdoc.virginia.edu and hr.virginia.edu/benefits

The historic University of Virginia is consistently ranked one of the top 3 public universities in the USA by US News and World Report, with a vibrant research enterprise that support cross-disciplinary scholarship. We are located in beautiful Charlottesville, VA, near the Blue Ridge mountains, with a strong cultural and restaurant scene and college town energy. Travel to Washington, DC in just two hours, or the Atlantic Ocean in three.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.