Post-doctoral researcher in experimental nuclear astrophysics (M/F)

23 Mar 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

CNRS

Department

Laboratoire de physique des 2 infinis - Irène Joliot-Curie

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

France

Application Deadline

15 Apr 2024 - 23:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

35

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The post-doctoral fellow will be part of the NESTAR team (Noyaux Exotiques, Structure, Astrophysique et Réactions) of the Pôle Nucléaire within the IJCLab laboratory. He/she will work under the supervision of Nicolas de Séréville and Faïrouz Hammache in the research field dedicated to the experimental determination of cross sections of reactions of astrophysical interest at GANIL and ALTO.
The 18Ne(,p)21Na reaction is one of the key reactions allowing the nuclear flow to escape from the hot CNO cycle operating during the explosive nucleosynthesis in Type I X-ray bursts. The importance of this reaction depends on the presence of strongly clustered states above the alpha emission threshold in 22Mg. The search for these states will be the focus of an experiment at GANIL using a radioactive beam of 18Ne and an experimental set-up based on the MUGAST multidetector for the detection of charged particles, EXOGAM for the detection of gamma-rays and the ZDD for the zero-degree identification of heavy residues. The experiment, supported by IJCLab, the University of York and Strasbourg, has been accepted and should be scheduled for 2025, before the summer. This study is part of the MUGAST measurement campaign on LISE in 2025, and the post-doc is expected to play an important role in the overall preparation of this campaign, with a particular interest in collecting data related to the study of the 18Ne(,p)21Na reaction. He/she will be responsible for the associated data analysis.
ALTO (Accélérateur Linéaire et Tandem à Orsay) has a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer (Split-Pole) coupled to a 14 MV Tandem electrostatic accelerator, enabling a wide range of astrophysical studies with stable beams. An important aspect of the spectrometer's current renovation is its readout electronics and acquisition system. These are aging and will be replaced by modern digital electronics. The post-doc will play a central role in setting up this new system.

The post-doc will contribute to the following activities:
• Participation to the preparation of the 2025 MUGAST campaign at LISE/GANIL, and responsibility for the data taking for the study of the 7Li(18Ne,t)22Mg(p)21Na reaction with MUGAST, EXOGAM and the ZDD.
• Analysis of data acquired for the study of the 7Li(18Ne,t)22Mg(p)21Na reaction, with the aim of determining the rate of the 18Ne(,p)21Na reaction and studying its astrophysical impact on X-ray bursts.
• Participation in the upgrade of the Split-Pole magnetic spectrometer acquisition system at ALTO to digital electronics.
• Participation in experiments using the Split-Pole magnetic spectrometer.
These activities are diverse and include experimental preparation, computer programming for data acquisition and analysis, and calculation of thermonuclear reaction rates.

The project will be carried out at the “Laboratoire de Physique des 2 Infinis Irène Joliot-Curie” (Laboratory of the Physics of the two Infinities Irène Joliot-Curie) or IJCLab, which is a joint research unit (UMR) of the CNRS, the University of Paris-Saclay, and the University of Paris. It is located 20 km south of Paris on the Orsay campus and easily accessible by public transport (RER) in 35 minutes from the centre of Paris. IJCLab was created in 2020 from the merger of five UMRs located on the Orsay University campus: the "Centre de sciences nucléaires et de sciences de la matière" (CSNSM), the "Imagerie et modélisation en neurobiologie et cancérologie" (IMNC) laboratory, the "Institut de physique nucléaire d'Orsay" (IPNO), the "Laboratoire de l'accélérateur linéaire" (LAL) and the "Laboratoire de physique théorique" (LPT).
The laboratory's research themes are nuclear physics, high-energy physics, astroparticles and cosmology, theoretical physics, particle accelerators and detectors, as well as technical research and development and associated applications for energy, health and the environment. The centre has considerable technical capacity (around 280 engineers and technicians) in all the major fields required to design, develop and implement the experimental equipment needed for its scientific activity: mechanics, electronics, computing, instrumentation, acceleration techniques and biological techniques. These technical strengths represent a major asset for the design, development and use of the necessary instruments (accelerators and detectors). The presence of research infrastructures and technological platforms on the laboratory site is also a major asset. Finally, around 90 administrative and support staff work alongside the scientists and engineers.
The post-doctoral student will be part of the Noyaux Exotiques, Structure, Astrophysique et Réactions (NESTAR) team in the Nuclear Physics (PN) pole. He/she will work with the laboratory staff involved in this project, which includes seven CNRS researchers and two PhD students. He/she will also be required to travel to GANIL.

Requirements

Research Field

Physics

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Languages

FRENCH

Level

Basic

Research Field

Physics

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

The candidate must have a good knowledge of nuclear physics instruments (silicon detectors, germanium detectors, ionization chamber). Experience with multi-detectors and radioactive beams is an advantage.
A good knowledge of computer programming and data analysis (ROOT, GEANT4) will also be an advantage.
He/she should be able to formulate and lead a scientific project, work in a team and be accountable. A solid knowledge of English is necessary to integrate into the international team.
Basic knowledge of nuclear astrophysics will be appreciated, but is not essential.
Desired professional experience: less than 3 years after PhD.

Additional comments

Submit a covering letter, at least one recommendation letter and a CV without any break in date showing diplomas, titles and work and professional experience.
Closing date for the receipt of applications: end of May 2024

Website for additional job details

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR9012-MARJOU-013/Default.aspx

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Laboratoire de physique des 2 infinis - Irène Joliot-Curie

Country

France

City

ORSAY

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Candidat/Offre/UMR9012-MARJOU-013/Candidater.aspx

Contact

City

ORSAY

STATUS: EXPIRED