Postdoc Position: Astroparticle Physics

1. Introduction

The most energetic particles in the universe are ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, subatomic particles with measured energies up to 1020 eV. To address major questions about their nature, origin and interaction, the Pierre Auger Observatory, the world’s largest observatory, has been upgraded. You will enhance the performance and analyse the data of the 1600 radio antennas that were recently installed.

2. Job description

The Pierre Auger collaboration at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands) invites applications for a postdoctoral position in high-energy astroparticle physics.

The Pierre Auger Observatory is the largest detector ever built to study ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. Situated in Malargüe (Argentina), its 3,000 km2 array of detectors has just undergone an upgrade, including the deployment of additional particle detectors as well as  antennas measuring the radio-frequency emission from air showers. This will enhance the capabilities of the observatory to determine the nature of the highest-energy particles ever observed and potentially measure with unprecedented precision the interactions caused in the atmosphere.

You will contribute by developing and testing a new analysis technique to reconstruct air shower parameters by applying interferometry on the measured radio signals. To make this work, clock synchronisation will be set up at the Pierre Auger Observatory, and the locations of detectors in the field will be accurately surveyed. You will be expected to take a leading role in these efforts. You will use the improved data to study the physics of air showers. You will be supported by and build on our group’s strong expertise in signal reconstruction and data analysis for radio detectors. Teaching is not required, but there is the possibility to participate in teaching and supervising activities.

3. Profile

• You have a PhD in the field of astroparticle physics.
• You have an MSc in physics/astronomy, with good results.
• You have a good command of English.
• You have experience in data analysis and scientific computing. 

4. We are

The position will be based in the High Energy Physics Department of the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP). The department consists of 15 staff scientists and about 30 PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers, performing cutting-edge theoretical and experimental research in particle physics and quantum gravity. Besides our participation in the Pierre Auger Collaboration, we are also involved in other experiments such as ATLAS at CERN, DUNE, GRAND and SWGO. We maintain close collaborations with theoreticians and our colleagues in the Astrophysics and Mathematics departments. Radboud University is one of the founding partners of Nikhef, the national institute for subatomic physics, which coordinates the particle and astroparticle physics activities in the Netherlands.

This position is funded from an ERC-CoG grant and you will be part of a team that will work on developing the radio interferometry technique for air shower observations.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 2 years.
• Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Harm Schoorlemmer. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place on 3 March. You will preferably start your employment on 1 April 2025.

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