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Postdoctoral Research Associate - ATLAS Experiment at Large Hadron Collider

Argonne National Laboratory · Lemont, IL · $72,879–$121,465 a year · Full time

Posted Oct 1, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you did detector operations or shift work. What happened when something went wrong?

What they are checking: Whether they take operations seriously and can respond calmly to problems.

How do you balance analysis work with service work like detector performance and upgrades?

What they are checking: Whether they value technical service work, which this group stresses.

Tell me about working in a large collaboration. How did you make your contributions visible?

What they are checking: Whether they can work in a huge team and still build a clear record.

Which Standard Model measurement or new physics search would you want to work on, and why?

What they are checking: Whether they have their own physics interests and can drive a project.

What would you do

A reviewer in your analysis group challenges a systematic uncertainty you're confident about. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they handle collaboration review well, with evidence rather than defensiveness.

About the work

Walk me through a physics analysis you've done, from event selection to the final result.

What they are checking: Whether they understand a full analysis chain, including backgrounds and systematics.

How do you estimate a background you can't simulate well?

What they are checking: Whether they know data-driven background methods and their limits.

What's your experience with silicon detectors, and what would you need to learn for the ITk Pixel upgrade?

What they are checking: Whether they can contribute to the group's upgrade work, a major focus at Argonne.

How does the ATLAS trigger work, and how would you check that a trigger isn't biasing your analysis?

What they are checking: Whether they understand Trigger/DAQ systems the group leads.

Where do you think machine learning helps most in ATLAS, and where does it create new risks?

What they are checking: Whether they think critically about ML in physics, like mismodeling and calibration.

How would you use HPC resources to speed up simulation or reconstruction?

What they are checking: Whether they can contribute to the group's HPC efforts for future computing needs.

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The full job description

As published by Argonne National Laboratory.

The High Energy Physics Division at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position to join our team working on the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The successful candidate will contribute to a broad research program that includes physics analysis, detector performance studies, experiment operations, and upgrade activities. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a collaborative group with deep expertise in silicon detectors, Trigger/DAQ (TDAQ) systems, software, and computing. The Argonne ATLAS group plays a leading role in detector operations and in major upgrade efforts, including the ITk Pixel detector and TDAQ systems. The group is also actively advancing work in high-performance computing (HPC) and machine learning (ML) to address future physics and detector challenges. Current physics interests include Standard Model measurements and searches for new phenomena. We welcome applicants who are excited to contribute to both the scientific and technical aspects of the ATLAS program in a highly collaborative research environment. Position Requirements • Recent or soon-to-be-completed PhD (within the last 0-5 years) in field of experimental particle physics or a closely related field • Experience in experimental high-energy physics • Demonstrated ability to contribute to physics analysis, detector performance studies, detector operations, and/or upgrade activities • Strong skills in scientific programming, software development, and data analysis • Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment • Strong written and verbal communication skills • Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork Preferred Qualifications • Experience with the ATLAS experiment or another collider-based high-energy physics experiment • Experience with silicon detectors, Trigger/DAQ systems, or detector operations • Experience in software and computing, including distributed computing, high-performance computing (HPC), or machine learning (ML) • Interest in Standard Model measurements and/or searches for new phenomena Application Review Review of applications will begin once the application is complete and will continue until the position is filled. Application Instructions • Please upload the following materials with your application in Workday: • CV/Resume, including publications and presentations • Research Statement • Unofficial Ph.D. transcripts • Copy of Ph.D. diploma, if already awarded For further information, please contact: Dr. Walter Hopkins at whopkins@anl.gov Job Family Postdoctoral Job Profile Postdoctoral Appointee Worker Type Long-Term (Fixed Term) Time Type Full time The expected hiring range for this position is $72,879.00-$121,465.00. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package. Click here to view Argonne employee benefits! As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation. Argonne encourages everyone to apply for employment. Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law. Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department. All Argonne offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes an assessment of criminal conviction history conducted on an individualized and case-by-case basis. Please be advised that Argonne positions require upon hire (or may require in the future) for the individual be to obtain a government access authorization that involves additional background check requirements. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

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