Postdoctoral Research Associate

Purpose

The Research Associate will conduct research within the Nuclear Theory Group, focusing on using microscopic transport models to extract the properties of dense nuclear matter.

Major Duties/Responsibilities

• Develop microscopic transport models (e.g., SMASH) with the aim of extracting nuclear matter properties probed in heavy-ion collisions at energies relevant to FRIB, STAR FXT, HADES, CBM, or equivalent programs.
• Perform robust comparisons of heavy-ion collision simulations with experimental data.
• Disseminate results at conferences and workshops.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties in this job classification.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Demonstrated familiarity with heavy-ion collision phenomenology (e.g., key observables and their dependencies, well-known modeling approaches, leading interpretations of experimental data, …).
• Thorough knowledge of microscopic transport models.
• Thorough knowledge of nuclear many-body theory (e.g., thermodynamics of dense relativistic nuclear matter, relativistic Boltzmann evolution, …)
• Skillful ability in developing microscopic transport simulations of heavy-ion collisions at collision energies relevant to FRIB, STAR FXT, HADES, CBM, or equivalent programs.
• Advanced ability in building, testing, and interpreting models and simulations.
• Skilled and experienced use of programming languages (C , Python, …), high-performance computing, version management tools (Git), LaTeX, and typical office software for typesetting and presentation.
• Ability to effectively collaborate and work in a team environment.
• Effective communication skills to communicate clearly and credibly, both verbally and in writing, with all audiences.

Qualifications – Required

• Ph.D. in nuclear theory or anticipate Ph.D. completion by Fall of 2025.
• At least one year of experience in relevant fields of nuclear many-body theory (e.g., thermodynamics of dense relativistic nuclear matter, relativistic Boltzmann evolution, …)
• At least one year of experience with developing microscopic transport simulations of heavy-ion collisions at energies relevant to FRIB, STAR FXT, HADES, CBM, or equivalent programs.

Qualifications – Desired

Experience with performing Bayesian analyses.

MSU Careers Posting #1004331