Posting Details

Posting Details

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Institution
South Dakota Mines

Working Title
Post-Doctoral Research Scientist

Posting Number
NFE02328P

Department
SDSMT-Physics 1

Physical Location of Position (City)
Rapid City

Posting Text

The Physics Department at South Dakota Mines invites applications for a post-doctoral research scientist position with its Experimental Dark Matter group. This is a regular, full-time, benefited position. The successful applicant will work on one or both of the direct dark matter searches, LZ and SuperCDMS. LZ, sited near campus, is already the most sensitive direct detection search for most masses of WIMP dark matter with only 1/20th of its expected full exposure analyzed. SuperCDMS, currently under construction at SNOLAB in Canada, will use novel low-temperature detectors that provide extremely low energy thresholds and excellent separation of possible dark matter interactions from backgrounds, resulting in unique sensitivity to low-mass WIMPs. The successful candidate may play a major role in the analysis of LZ and/or the construction, testing, and analysis of SuperCDMS, and perform research and development towards future dark matter experiments including prototyping a design to remove otherwise dominant backgrounds due to radon daughters.

A PhD in particle astrophysics, high-energy physics, nuclear physics, or a related field is required. Experience with low-noise electronics, cryogenic systems, detector development, radiation detection, low-background techniques, data acquisition, data analysis, and/or simulations would be advantageous.

South Dakota Mines is less than an hour's drive from the Sanford Underground Research Facility, historic home of the noble-prize-winning Ray Davis experiment on solar neutrino oscillations, current home of LZ, and future site of the DUNE/LBNF far detector. The university has made a focus of underground physics experiments to increase our understanding of particle physics and the universe, with recent hires resulting in a group of six faculty collaborating on experiments on direct detection of dark matter, neutrino oscillations, and cosmic neutrinos, providing a rich environment for research in particle physics and cosmology.

South Dakota Mines is a best-in-class STEM university that offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees located in Rapid City, the state's second largest city with a MSA population of over 158,000. With 226 days of sunshine, 1.2 million acres of breathtaking scenery of the Black Hills National Forest, 700 miles of motorized trails and nearly 500 miles of hiking trails, there is a lot to see and do. People from around the world come here each year to see top attractions like Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Crazy Horse Memorial, Badlands National Park, Terry Peak Ski Area, and Reptile Gardens. There's something for everybody!

At Mines, our vision is to develop world-class leaders in science and engineering to benefit society through education, innovation, and engagement. Nearly 2,500 students from every state and over 40 countries are represented on our campus. Mines is an affordable option with a great return on investment.

Known for our academic rigor, we maintain an average class size of 24 and our students benefit from immersive learning experiences including undergraduate research, co-ops/internships, and nationally competitive engineering teams. These experiences make graduates highly sought after by industry and attributes to high starting salaries and 98% placement rate in the field of study.

Research at Mines encompasses four main areas: energy and environment; materials and manufacturing; STEM education; and underground science and engineering. Entrepreneurship is highly valued and programming assists students and faculty to engage in entrepreneurial activities and transition scientific and technological innovations into viable products and business startups.

South Dakota Mines is committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce and offers an excellent comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and life coverage options for employees, spouses and dependents; retirement plans; paid holidays; and a generous vacation and sick day allowance. Individuals interested in this position must apply online at https://www.sdsmt.edu/employment/. Human Resources can provide accommodation to the online application process and may be reached at (605) 394-1203. Review of applications will begin May 22, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. Employment is contingent upon completion of a satisfactory background investigation.

Attach a cover letter, a statement of qualifications and interests (attach as other document), a curriculum vitae, and the name, address, phone number and email addresses of three professional references. By providing this contact information, you agree that we may contact your references.

Posting Date
04/22/2024

Closing Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

First Consideration Date
05/22/2024

Advertised Salary
$60,000 depending on education and experience

Duration of the Term
12 months

If Other, describe duration

Appointment Percent
100

Work Hours

Typical Hours Worked Per Week

Appointment Type
Regular

Faculty Status
No

Scope of Search
External (includes Internal)

If internal, define scope of search

This position requires
Travel

If other, please indicate

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota Mines does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identification, transgender, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information or veteran status in employment or the provision of service.

Contact Information

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position.
Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple Stimuli, Pace-fast, Perform calculations, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment.
Eye Protection, Latex Gloves, Protective Clothing

If other protection is used please identify

Physical Requirements

Please designate the physical requirements of this position
Carrying, Climbing Ladders, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Grasping, Lifting Above Waist, Lifting Below Waist, Lifting moderate, Pushing/Pulling, Reaching, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Use Both Hands

Describe any of the conditions selected

Sensory Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position.
Hearing, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day.
Atmospheric Contaminants (includes odors & fumes), Electrical Current, Extreme Cold, Radiation, Working Around Machinery

Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above

Working Environment

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed.
Lab Environment

If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Attach a cover letter, a statement of qualifications and interests (attach as other document), a curriculum vitae, and the name, address, phone number and email addresses of three professional references. By providing this contact information, you agree that we may contact your references.
(Open Ended Question)

How did you hear about this employment opportunity?

• Public Job Posting
• Internal Job Posting
• Agency Referral
• Advertisement/Publication
• Personal Referral
• Website
• Other

Documents Needed to Apply

Required Documents

Cover Letter

Curriculum Vitae

Other

Reference List

Optional Documents