What are the responsibilities and job description for the Physics Research Assistant position at Concordia University Wisconsin/Ann Arbor?
Concordia University is a Lutheran higher education community committed to helping students develop in mind, body and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and in the world.
Position Description
Concordia University Wisconsin seeks qualified applicants for a full-time position of Research Assistant to contribute to the calibration effort for the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) during the 2025-2026 academic year. Applicants must have a firm grasp of physics principles and problem-solving methods, including experience in computational techniques.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The research assistant will be responsible for developing and operating the pipeline that produces calibrated gravitational-wave data for astrophysical analyses, with the goal of improving accuracy, lowering latency, and streamlining the calibration procedure to help produce a robust, reliable gravitational-wave detection machine. This position will also be responsible for developing and improving methods of subtracting noise from the data in low latency, as well as working with others in the group to pioneer methods to produce calibration error estimates in low latency. Additionally, this position offers opportunities to travel to meetings and collaborate with other researchers in the field.
Education and Experience
A bachelor's degree in physics or a closely related field is required. Candidates must have coding experience. Experience in using Python to solve mathematical problems and with software development in general will be beneficial.
Physical Demands/Equipment
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, salary exempt position. The starting wage may be determined upon education and/or experience. Concordia University benefit options include, but are not limited to the following:
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Personal Spending Account, Flexible Spending Account, and/or Health Savings Account
- Disability and Survivor Plan
- Retirement Pension Plan
- Retirement 403(b) Savings Plan
- Basic Life and Supplemental Life Insurance
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment Coverage
- Critical Illness and Accident Insurance
- Tuition waiver benefits (available for employees and their qualified dependents)
Compensation and Benefit Details
Application Instructions
Applicants should include in their online application a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, copy of transcripts, and contact information for three references. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until successful candidates are identified.
Equal Opportunity Employer
It is the policy of CU to provide equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
The University will not discriminate against or harass any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability, age, marital status, gender, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
However, CU is an institution of the LCMS and, to the extent allowed by law, CU reserves the right to give preference in employment based on religion. In addition, preference in holding certain employment positions is given to ordained or rostered ministers of the LCMS. Based on a religious tenet, CU recognizes only male, LCMS ordained Ministers of the Gospel, but recognizes both male and female LCMS Rostered Ministers of the Gospel.
The Human Resources Department has been appointed to manage the equal employment opportunity program, including all equal employment opportunity activities, as required by federal, state and local agencies. If any employee or applicant for employment believes this policy has been violated, he/she must contact the Director of Human Resources.
Concordia University is a HLC accredited, co-educational, liberal arts school offering more than 70 undergraduate majors, over 40 master's degree programs, and 4 doctoral programs. There are also a variety of accelerated evening and e-learning programs.
