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This position has closed. Fermilab removed this listing from their careers page on Oct 6, 2026. The interview prep below is still useful, and there are similar open roles at the bottom of this page.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

Fermilab · Batavia, IL · $69,800–$92,600 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 28, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 4, 2026

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 worked with operators or engineers who were skeptical of your results.

What they are checking: Whether they can communicate findings and earn trust from the people running the accelerator.

What did your thesis teach you about doing research independently?

What they are checking: Whether they can drive their own work with general direction, as a postdoc here is expected to.

Where do you want to be at the end of this appointment, and how will this work get you there?

What they are checking: Whether they have a clear plan for their career that fits the term-limited nature of a postdoc.

What would you do

Your simulation predicts beam loss that the machine doesn't show. How do you figure out which one is wrong?

What they are checking: Whether they can reconcile model and measurement carefully, questioning both the inputs and the real machine conditions.

If future upgrades need beam intensity much higher than today, what effects would you expect to limit it, and how would you study them?

What they are checking: Whether they understand intensity-limiting physics like space charge and instabilities well enough to plan useful studies.

About the work

Tell me about the beam dynamics simulations you've done. Which codes did you use and what physics did they capture?

What they are checking: Whether their simulation experience matches high-fidelity accelerator modeling such as space charge, wakefields and nonlinear optics.

How would you set up a simulation of the Booster that operators could actually trust to guide a change?

What they are checking: Whether they think about benchmarking against machine data, not just producing plots, since results support real operations.

What do you know about the Main Injector or IOTA, and which open problem there interests you?

What they are checking: Whether they have prepared seriously and can connect their skills to the actual machines named in the role.

How do you manage long simulation runs on shared computing resources?

What they are checking: Whether they work efficiently on clusters and manage jobs, parameters and output in an organized, reproducible way.

How do you document and share your simulation work so others can reproduce it?

What they are checking: Whether their work will outlast their term through clear code, inputs and write-ups.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Fermilab.

The expected hiring range for this position is: $69,800.00-$92,600.00. 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 the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs. About the Role: Fermilab is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate within our Accelerator Directorate. Under general direction and in consultation with more experienced scientists, the Postdoctoral Research Associate will conduct research related to the overall mission of the Laboratory, with a focus on high-fidelity beam dynamics simulations of Fermilab accelerators, including the Booster, Main Injector, and IOTA, to support current operations and future upgrades. Research may be within any scientific or technology development activity of the appointee's Division. Appointees do not have specific line or organizational responsibilities. The Research Associate appointment is for a specific term, calculated from the time of arrival at Fermilab. Term may be extended as appropriate. What your day-to-day as a Postdoctoral Research Associate at Fermilab will look like: • Perform high-fidelity beam dynamics simulations of Fermilab accelerators, including the Booster, Main Injector, and IOTA, to support current operations and future upgrades. • Develop, validate, and benchmark simulation models against beam measurements and operational data. • Apply the results of simulations and studies to improve accelerator performance and to assess the feasibility of upgrade scenarios. • Participate in beam studies, data acquisition, and analysis, and present or publish the outcomes at conferences and in refereed journals. • Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor. • Abides by and is responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position. Essential Competencies and Attributes for Success : • Appointees usually have recently completed their PhD (often within the last two years) or are expected to complete it within the current calendar year. Applicable Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required: • Demonstrated expertise in beam dynamics simulations using ImpactX. • Demonstrated potential to make contributions to the Laboratory that will subsequently qualify them for appointment as an Associate Scientist. W ork Arrangement: Please note that the described work arrangement is subject to change based on business needs and is not guaranteed to be final. • Onsite : This is an onsite role, and the candidate must be able to work from our Batavia office. Benefits/Perks: Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including : • Medical, Dental, Vision and Flexible Spending Account • Paid time-off • Life insurance • Short and Long-term disability insurance • Retirement benefits • Onsite day care Why Fermilab: Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole. Pre-Employment Screening: Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive and drug-free environment. An offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screening. HSPD-12 In accordance with Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) new employees are required to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identity Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a federal background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws. Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment. Foreign Government Sponsored Activities Fermilab 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. Such individuals will be asked to disclose any participation for review by Fermilab's Office of General Counsel. REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf . If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview. Equal Opportunity Statement Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.