Assistant Scientist in Experimental High Energy Physics (68877)

Location:
Gainesville, FL
Open Date:
Jan 19, 2021
Description:

The Department of Physics at the University of Florida (UF) seeks a full-time, non-tenure track Assistant Scientist in Experimental High Energy Physics. The position is time-limited and it is  supported by project grants and is initially for a one-year period, expected to be renewed on a year-to-year basis, for a several year period, contingent on funding and performance. 

The selected candidate is expected to take on leading roles in the firmware and software projects for which the UF group is responsible within the electronic real-time data-processing system (“trigger”) for the muon system of the CMS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron collider.

These projects are an integral part of a major upgrade to the CMS detector program that aims to exploit the significant improvements envisioned for the LHC accelerator (the “High-Luminosity LHC “) and usher a new era of physics exploration and discovery. The Assistant Scientist will join a group of five faculty members, an electronics engineer, an Assistant Scientist, and several postdoctoral scientists and graduate students, all working on the CMS research program.

The CMS muon trigger system is comprised of custom electronic cards designed by UF that incorporate advanced programmable logic elements called Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and high bandwidth optical links for data transmission. The selected person would work closely with our electronics engineer responsible for the hardware and FPGA firmware aspects of the same projects. The person would also work with the coordinators of the trigger projects in the CMS Collaboration to ensure compliance with the requirements of the experiment. Supervision of the work done by graduate students and postdoctoral associates in the CMS high-energy group collaborating on these topics will be required, as will be documentation and reporting on progress and achievements to representatives of the funding agencies and to the CMS Collaboration. The selected person will be encouraged to be proactive in seeking opportunities to report novel developments to the community

 

Qualifications:

a) hold a Ph.D. degree (or equivalent) in experimental particle physics at the time of appointment,

b) have extensive  research experience in the field,

c) have significant experience with firmware and software development and,  

d) be proficient in the C++ and python programming languages and with Linux-based operating systems. Familiarity with trigger and data acquisition systems, with the development and implementation of machine learning (AI) algorithms, and with the Verilog, VHDL, and Xilinx Vivado HLS firmware development languages for Xilinx FPGAs are highly desirable.

Application Instructions:

For full consideration, applications must be submitted online at http://apply.interfolio.com/82794 and must include: (1) a cover letter, (2) a curriculum vitae with publication list, (3) a research statement, and (4) three confidential letters of recommendation sent on their behalf to their Interfolio submission packet. Questions should be directed to the search chair, Prof. Darin Acosta, at acostad@ufl.edu. Applications will be reviewed beginning February 9, 2021, and the position will remain open until filled. Only complete applications will be reviewed at this time. Applications received after this date may be considered at the discretion of the committee and/or hiring authority.

All candidates for employment are subject to a pre-employment screening which includes a review of criminal records, reference checks, and verification of education.

The selected candidate will be required to provide an official transcript to the hiring department upon hire. A transcript will not be considered “official” if a designation of “Issued to Student” is visible. Degrees earned from an educational institution outside of the United States require evaluation by a professional credentialing service provider approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES), which can be found at http://www.naces.org/.

The University of Florida is an equal opportunity institution dedicated to building a broadly diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. If an accommodation due to a disability is needed to apply for this position, please call 352/392-2477 or the Florida Relay System at 800/955-8771 (TDD). Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the US. Searches are conducted in accordance with Florida's Sunshine Law.