The research groups of the NEWS-G experiment (New Experiments with Spheres-Gas) and the Reactor Materials Testing Laboratory (RMTL) at the Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute (MI), Queen’s University (Kingston, ON, Canada) are looking to hire a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF).

The NEWS-G (https://news-g.org) experiment led by Prof. Gilles Gerbier, involving 11 groups in North America and Europe, is dedicated primarily to the direct search of light Dark Matter particles underground. It uses the Spherical Proportional Counter (SPC) technique, which has a very low energy threshold and allows to use various light target gases such as H, He, and Ne, to access masses of WIMP (weakly interacting massive particle) down to 0.1 GeV/c2. The 140 cm diameter detector is being installed in SNOLAB and is expected to be operational in 2020.

RMTL (https://rmtl.engineering.queensu.ca/) is a state-of-the-art nuclear materials facility which includes a 4MV tandem proton and helium accelerator used to introduce radiation damage in materials and to generate neutrons for astroparticle physics experiments.

Project: The candidate will have an integral role in setting up a quasi-monoenergetic neutron beam at the Reactor Material Testing Laboratory’s (RMTL) proton accelerator facility to calibrate dark matter detectors in close collaboration with NEWS-G. The PDF’s work will focus on building/developing the instrumentation for neutron generation and detection, with the goal of enabling quenching factor measurements on dark matter detectors. The PDF will have as well opportunities to participate the development of SPC’s for various applications. This research is essential in understanding the response of dark matter detectors (gaseous -, semi-conductor -, liquid noble gas - and superheated liquid detectors) to the low energy nuclear recoils that are expected from WIMP interactions. The PDF will have the opportunity to interact with graduate students and to collaborate with other institutions affiliated with the MI and SNOLAB (Sudbury, ON).

With Nobel Prize winner Art McDonald, Queen’s University is home to one of the strongest astroparticle physics groups in Canada. Queen’s also hosts the Arthur B. McDonald Canadian Astroparticle Physics Research Institute, a partnership between 13 universities and research institutes working to unite researchers, theorists and technical experts across Canada and internationally. Queen's University is located in historic Kingston on the shores of Lake Ontario and it is one of Canada's leading research-intensive universities.

Requirements: The candidates should have experience in experimental particle physics, detector instrumentation and data evaluation. Some working knowledge of GEANT4 would be an asset. Candidates should have the willingness to learn new things and be motivated to solve problems in an interdisciplinary framework. By the start date of the position, candidates should possess a PhD in physics or engineering with specialization in high-energy physics, nuclear physics, astroparticle physics or equivalent.

The PDF will be affiliated with the Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (MME) and MI and will work in close collaboration with the Department of Physics, Engineering Physics and Astronomy (PHYS). The PDF will be jointly supervised by Prof. Levente Balogh (MME), Prof. Guillaume Giroux (PHYS) and Prof. Gilles Gerbier (PHYS). The position is located in Kingston ON, Canada, is funded for 2 years and may be subject to renewal based on availability of funds and satisfactory performance.

To apply: If interested, please send an email to Prof. Levente Balogh (levente.balogh@queensu.ca) with a CV and contact information for 2 referees.

Queen’s University invites applications from all qualified candidates. Queen's is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity. Queen's University recognizes and appreciates the value that diversity adds to its activities and initiatives.

Application deadline: Review of applications will start on 2020 Jun 28. Start date: Aug 2020 or ASAP thereafter (subject to delays if travel restrictions persist due to current conditions).

Arthur B. McDonald Institute (MI) https://mcdonaldinstitute.ca, NEWS-G collaboration https://news-g.org, RMTL https://rmtl.engineering.queensu.ca, SNOLAB https://www.snolab.ca, MME https://me.queensu.ca/, PHYS https://www.queensu.ca/physics/home