Postdoctoral Researcher

About the role

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Kansas seeks to fill a postdoctoral researcher position in experimental high energy physics. The starting date is December 15, 2026, or as soon thereafter as the position can be filled (negotiable). The initial appointment is for at least one year, with the possibility of annual renewal subject to review and continued funding, up to a maximum of five years total.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in experimental high energy physics within the CMS collaboration (and potentially towards future colliders) under the supervision of Professor Elliot Reynolds.
• Participate in relevant facets of the overall research endeavor, encompassing aspects of the life‑cycle of high energy physics experiments.
• 40% – Higgs physics analysis using CMS data: take a leading role in off‑shell Higgs boson production, including development of new analysis techniques, data processing/reduction, machine learning training and/or development, physics event simulation, event reconstruction and/or selection design, signal and background modeling, estimation of systematic uncertainties, statistical inference, and documentation, presentation, and publication of results.
• 40% – Contributions to the group's current and/or future responsibilities in the CMS experiment, focusing on physics object performance work (jets and missing transverse momentum).
• 10% – Potential contributions towards future colliders: experimental design efforts, feasibility studies, prospective analysis work, detector prototyping, and detector R&D.
• 10% – Assist faculty in guiding graduate and undergraduate students: co‑analyzing CMS data, reviewing student work, providing physics and technical support, reviewing draft documents, providing guidance and mentorship, and contributing to group and analysis meetings.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in physics by the date of appointment.
• At least one year of experience in experimental high energy physics or a related experimental field, either during the Ph.D. or afterwards.
• To be appointed at the Postdoctoral Researcher title (or equivalent), the Ph.D. must be in hand; appointments made without a certified transcript indicating an earned doctorate are conditional hires on an acting basis not to exceed six months, with the appointment extended upon final verification of the degree.
• The position requires a formal degree in the cited discipline area(s) to ensure advanced knowledge, analytical skills, and professional competencies necessary to perform the duties.

Skills

• Experience and ability in experimental techniques and software relevant to collider experiments.
• Experience and ability in particle physics data analysis.
• Experience and ability in experimental physics object performance work.
• Experience and ability with particle detector design, upgrades/development and/or operation.
• Experience and ability in the development, training and/or implementation of machine learning algorithms.
• Good communication skills.

Pay

Advertised salary range starts at $58,656.

Contact: Professor Elliot Reynolds, etjreynolds@ku.edu

Application review begins Thursday, October 1, 2026.