Contact: duarte-pd-recruit[AT]physics.ucsd.eduLocation: La Jolla, California, USA
The experimental high energy physics (HEP) group at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) invites applications from outstanding candidates for the position of postdoctoral researcher to work on the CMS experiment and to develop and apply findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) principles to artificial intelligence (AI) models and data in high energy physics. Transformational progress in AI has been driven by the ubiquity of large datasets such as ImageNe0t. Within HEP, creating and publishing open, realistic, and FAIR datasets can shed light on the unique challenges in this domain and usher in new groundbreaking and physics-inspired ideas in AI.
FAIR4HEP is a joint DOE-funded venture between UIUC, MIT, UMN, and UCSD. The goal of the multi-institution and interdisciplinary project is to curate data sources from HEP, develop software frameworks to automatically train, evaluate, and compare benchmark AI models for charged particle tracking, Higgs boson identification, detector calibration, event reconstruction, and more, and publish sharable AI models and data following FAIR principles. The successful candidate is expected to take a leading role in these efforts as well as in the CMS experiment. The postdoctoral researcher will be affiliated with UCSD and mentored by Prof. Javier Duarte, but is encouraged to collaborate with all partner institutions.
The CMS group at UCSD is involved in developing machine learning algorithms for event reconstruction like the particle-flow algorithm, creating tools, like hls4ml, for fast inference of neural networks in FPGAs and other heterogeneous computing resources with applications to the Level-1 trigger, and searches for exotic long-lived particles and measurements of high-transverse-momentum Higgs boson decays. The candidate will have the opportunity to join and lead these efforts.
Ambitious applicants from diverse backgrounds and are encouraged to apply.
A PhD in physics, statistics, computer science, machine learning, data science, or related fields is required. Prior experience in software development and machine learning is advantageous, but not essential. Complete applications should be sent to duarte-pd-recruit[AT]physics.ucsd.edu and must include
– Cover letter (no more than 1 page);
– CV (1-2 pages recommended, but longer accepted);
– Statement of research interests (no more than 2 pages);
– List of publications;
– Three reference letters.
The deadline for the receipt of the application is December 1, but the search will continue until the position is filled.
UCSD is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong institutional commitment to excellence through diversity.