Postdoctoral Researcher

Job description:

The WIS hep-ex group is seeking an experienced postdoc to take leading a role in forefront Strong-Field QED experiments across world-leading laboratories, including SLAC (E320, US), DESY (LUXE, Germany), ELI-NP (Romania), APOLLON (France) and possibly CoReLS (Korea).

These experiments are designed to test QED at ultra intense electric fields using collisions of ~10 GeV accelerated electrons (LINAC or LWF) and ~0.01-10 PW laser pulses. The Schwinger critical field is approached and physical processes of pure non-perturbative nature may be observed.

In all experiments mentioned above, the WIS group is notably responsible for the silicon-pixel tracking detectors - the central systems for measuring the elusive non-linear Breit-Wheeler e+e- pair production in the tunneling regime, possibly for the first time. We also participate in the overall design, construction, operation and simulation of the experiments, as well as the physics-analysis. For more context on our recent work, please see NIM. A. 1083, Mar 2026, 171144 for E320, and EPJ. Spec. Top. 233, 1709–1974 (2024) for LUXE.

You will be joining amidst a surge of global experimental efforts and major funding campaigns, including a recent €14M ERC Synergy Grant (ERC-SyG) in which our lab is a key partner.

Requirements:

• PhD and excellent knowledge in experimental particle physics,
• Experience with detector instrumentation, preferably in the area of solid-state detectors,
• Excellent programming skills, experience with large scale distributed computing campaigns.

Further details:

• The post is to be based at WIS [1] with trips to SLAC, DESY, ELI-NP, APOLLON, CERN and possibly CoReLS.
• Activities in within the ATLAS experiment at the LHC and in the DRD3 group (wide bandgap semiconductors) can also be considered, albeit with low FTE.
• All details related to the fellowship (baseline of ~11,500 ILS/month net) are available in: https://www.weizmann.ac.il/feinberg/fellowship-aid/postdoctoral-fellows.
• In addition to the fellowship and relocation costs, all postdocs receive an annual travel allowance of ~2k$ and the host lab covers all scientific trips if this allowance is exhausted.
• A dedicated international office [2] operates in WIS to help researchers with ALL aspects related to the moving, working and living around WIS.

How to apply:

• Email your CV and LOP to noam.hod@weizmann.ac.il,
• Arrange for at least three letters to be emailed to the same address,
• Applications are welcome from all qualified individuals

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[1] WIS is located in Rehovot, Israel, a 20 minute drive from the city of Tel Aviv. The official language (studies and administration) in WIS is English.

[2] The WIS International Office is providing a spectrum of services to our international community. The office will oversee and provide the international community non-academic and non-scientific services going forward including: Visa handling, Health insurance, Medical services, Housing and Relocating, Schools, Family and community guidance and assistance, Cultural events and activities, Hebrew Lessons and more.

[3] Postdoc applicants can start employment no later than 5 years after receiving their PhD and the employment can extend up to 7 years after receiving the PhD.