Research and Funding Opportunities

 Postdoctoral Associate Experimental Particle Physics and Physics Education Research at Cornell University 

The Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-based Sciences and Education (CLASSE) at Cornell University has an opening for a Postdoctoral Associate to work on the CMS experiment at the LHC and the Cornell PER Laboratory. The successful candidate will conduct both experimental particle physics work with the CMS group and physics education research (PER) with the Cornell PER lab. The Cornell CMS group has a broad involvement in many aspects of the CMS experiment, from data analysis to detector operations and HL-LHC detector upgrades. The successful candidate is expected to engage actively in analysis of CMS data and will have considerable freedom in developing this program. We are also particularly interested in strengthening the group working the CMS HL-LHC upgrades in the L1 track trigger as well as the forward pixel detector. Simultaneously, the researcher will also conduct research on educational interventions to bring CMS research concepts and practices to undergraduate physics students in classrooms and research groups. Building on the structure of Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) pervasive throughout biology education, the successful candidate will evaluate the efficacy of the CUREs framework as applied to physics as a way to bring particle physics research concepts and skills to the undergraduate curriculum and to broaden participation in particle physics research. This research will require innovative collaboration between PER and CMS experts to design and evaluate disciplinary authentic and educationally sound instructional materials that will directly benefit both the classroom and the LHC. Candidates should have a strong record of accomplishment in data analysis and experience or interest in trigger electronics. The position will be based in Ithaca, New York, though regular travel to CERN is expected. A PhD in experimental high energy physics is required, as well as awareness of physics education research and enthusiasm to learn the relevant literature and education research methods. Appointments are nominally for one year with the possibility of renewal up to five years total, subject to mutual satisfaction and the availability of funds under our NSF grant.

Applications should be submitted at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/26255 and should include a CV, list of publications, statement of research interests, and three letters of recommendation. The research statement should include any relevant background and experiences in both experimental high energy physics and PER. Complete applications will be considered immediately. For information about this position, contact Prof. Natasha Holmes ngholmes@cornell.edu and Peter Wittich wittich@cornell.edu.

• Ford Foundation Fellowship Program - Research-based fields of education are eligible if the major field of study is listed above and is used to describe the Ph.D. or Sc.D. program of the applicant (e.g., sociology of education, anthropology and education).
• NSF Graduate Research Fellowship - "STEM Education and Learning" listed with a specific deadline