Postdoctoral position in Experimental High Energy Heavy-ion Physics

The STAR Group of the Department of Atomic Physics within the Institute of Physics at Eötvös Loránd University invites applications for one or more postdoctoral positions in High Energy Heavy Physics.

The duration of the contract is 2+1 years. The main research focus of the Department is particle and nuclear physics, astro-particle physics, and astrophysics. Our University is a member of several large international collaborations, including CMS, LHCb, LIGO, NA61, Pan-STARRS, STAR, PHENIX, NUSTAR and LSST. This position is for candidates working in high energy heavy ion physics. We are looking for a researcher to work in the STAR group of the Department, where the candidate would focus on femtoscopic measurements (and up to a small fraction, participate in phenomenology research).

The focal point of the activities of the postdoctoral associate would be femtoscopy. This topic encompasses all the methods that enable one to measure lengths and times on the femtometer (fm) scale. In heavy-ion physics, the main such method is the study of quantum statistical (intensity) correlations between identical particles. This effect was discovered by Hanbury Brown and Twiss in radio astronomy, and independently by Goldhaber and collaborators in particle physics. At RHIC, the space-time structure of the strongly interacting quark gluon plasma can be studied most effectively by the investigation of HBT correlations. These correlations may also shed light on the phase structure of QCD, and hence are part of the efforts to map out the uncharted territories on the QCD phase diagram.

See more details about the group at its website in English and Hungarian.

We are looking for highly motivated individuals with a PhD in heavy ion physics, as well as a strong track record in research. A successful applicant may involve herself/himself in teaching classes (in English or Hungarian) to undergraduates as well as graduates. If hired, the applicant will be supported to apply for additional grants. We provide a competitive salary (providing a comfortable living in Budapest), which can be increased through various personal research grants. The start date is Q4 2023, with some flexibility.

Please send the following documents by March 31, 2023 in e-mail to Mate Csanad at star@ttk.elte.hu with the subject line “STAR-PD-2023-1 Application”:

In addition, three letters of reference shall be sent to the above address, or as part of the application. In the former case, the names of the references shall be indicated as part of the application.

The evaluation of the applications will begin in March 2023, but the position will remain open until filled by a suitable candidate. Members of minority groups underrepresented in the academic sector are especially encouraged to apply.