Research Associate-Fixed Term

Position Summary

The High Energy Physics Theory Group at Michigan State University is seeking qualified applicants for a postdoctoral research position in particle physics phenomenology. We are especially looking for candidates with a background in Monte Carlo Event Generators, parton showers, neutrino-nucleus interactions, and machine learning applications in particle physics.

The high energy theory group at MSU consists of nine faculty members: Alexei Bazavov, Martin Berz, Steve Hsu, Joshua Isaacson, Huey-Wen Lin, Kirtimaan Mohan, Pavel Nadolsky, Carl Schmidt, Dan Stump, and C.-P. Yuan, as well as several postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. Ongoing research encompasses perturbative precision calculations, collider phenomenology, beyond-the-Standard-Model phenomenology, lattice QCD, formal aspects of Quantum Field Theory, cosmology, neutrino-nucleus interactions, and beam physics, as well as strong participation in The Coordinated Theoretical-Experimental Project on QCD (CTEQ). The group has close ties with the MSU HEP experimental group with active participation in ATLAS, DUNE, ICECUBE, T2K, NOVA HAWC and SPT and CMB-S4. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is well connected to the Department of Mathematics and the Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering, which provides excellent opportunities for interactions between Physics, Mathematics and Computational Sciences.

The appointment is initially for two years and is renewable subject to mutual agreement.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.

Required Degree

Doctorate -High Energy Physics or related field

Minimum Requirements

A Ph.D. is required for this position and experience in high-energy physics phenomenology and theory

Required Application Materials

Interested individuals should provide the contact information for at least 3 people who will provide reference letters on request; a curriculum vitae; a brief (2 page) statement of research background and interests; and a list of publications through the MSU hiring website: https://careers.msu.edu referencing posting 1090995.

Special Instructions

Review of applications will commence on Dec 5, 2025, and will continue until the position is filled, with a tentative start date of Sept. 1, 2026, or as mutually agreed upon. For further information on this position, please contact Joshua Isaacson by email at isaacs21@msu.edu.

Review of Applications Begins On

12/05/2025

Website

https://pa.msu.edu/

MSU Statement

Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.