Postdoctoral Research
Postdoctoral Positions at NSCL/FRIB
For those interested in experimental research or theoretical nuclear physics at NSCL, please refer to the NSCL employment page. Specific opportunities are listed in this advertisement, but note that strong applications are invited and encouraged on a continuous basis. For open postdoctoral positions in accelerator physics in FRIB, please refer to FRIB employment opportunities website.
NSCL offers excellent opportunities to postdoctoral research associates in experimental and theoretical nuclear physics, nuclear astrophysics, accelerator physics and related instrumentation R&D. For exceptionally qualified individuals, an appointment as an NSCL fellow (research position up to five years) or at the visiting assistant professor level is possible.
Currently, about 30 postdoctoral research associates work in the Laboratory. Many of our previous postdoctoral researcher are now faculty members at a wide variety of national and international universities, or have become successful in research, management or other activities at national laboratories, in industry or in governmental agencies.
This is a particularly exciting time to join NSCL. New experimental programs are being developed and existing ones upgraded in preparation for experiments with the Facility for Rare Isotope Beam (FRIB). These developments and upgrades have immediate impact on the current science program as well, as secondary beams produced at the Coupled Cyclotron Facility can be utilized to perform fore-front experiment now. The research program is very diverse: fast, stopped and reaccelerated beams of rare-isotopes can be used to address key scientific questions concerning the creation of the elements in the cosmos, the limits of nuclear stability, the properties of nuclei with very unusual neutron-to-proton ratios, and the equation of state of neutron-rich nuclear matter as it may exist inside neutron stars.
Postdoctoral researchers play a very important role in expanding, improving and utilizing the experimental capabilities at the Laboratory. Experimentalists work very closely with theorists in the Laboratory and beyond, and postdoctoral researchers in theory play a very important role to developing and using state-of-the-art theoretical tools, often involving high-performance computational infrastructure. The close proximity and interaction between theorists and experiments at NSCL creates a dynamic atmosphere which is very beneficial for nurturing and educating young talent.
The construction of FRIB, as well as the development and improvement of other accelerator systems at the Laboratory provides a fantastic environment for postdoctoral researchers who are interested in accelerator physics and engineering. They also strongly benefit from interacting with very diverse group of high level staff technical members involved with the running of the Coupled Cyclotron Facility, the development of new accelerator and beam-manipulating devices and of course the construction of the world’s premier facility for rare isotope beams, FRIB.
Postdoctoral Mentoring Program
Besides the excellent research environment, NSCL offers a strong program to mentor postdoctoral researchers in preparation for the next steps in their careers. This postdoctoral mentoring program is overseen by the Associate Director for Education and provides postdoctoral researchers with the tools, resources and feedback they need to be successful now, and in the future. You can read more in the postdoc mentoring plan. Postdoctoral research play a role in running the Laboratory, from serving on important committees to leading forefront research. They help supervise students and, for those interested, there are opportunities to engage with teaching.
