High-Precision Experiments and Associated Developments in Pursuit of Ground-State Properties of Rare Isotopes

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University (MSU) is seeking outstanding candidates for a mid-career position at the rank of associate professor in experimental nuclear science, establishing a program aimed at high-precision measurements of nuclear ground-state properties for nuclear structure studies, nuclear astrophysics, and fundamental symmetry tests. In exceptional cases, a hire at the level of full professor can be considered. Examples of areas of interest include, but are not limited to, high-precision mass measurements, laser spectroscopy, and in-trap decay studies of rare isotopes. The successful candidate will lead high-precision measurements of nuclear ground-state properties, beam stopping, and low-energy beam manipulation in support of precision experiments with stopped and reaccelerated beams.

The successful candidate is expected to:

• hold a doctoral degree in nuclear physics, atomic physics, nuclear chemistry, or a related field,
• have at least seven years of relevant experience past doctoral degree,
• have a strong recognized scientific record of research in experimental low-energy nuclear science and related technical developments,
• lead a sponsored, world-class experimental research program at FRIB aimed at high-precision measurements of nuclear ground-state properties for nuclear structure studies, nuclear astrophysics, and fundamental symmetry tests,
• have demonstrated leadership in low-energy nuclear science in planning and conducting experiments, including building national and international collaborations
• exhibit promise to be an effective classroom instructor using evidence-based techniques,
• be an inclusive mentor to a diverse cohort of students at the undergraduate and graduate levels and postdoctoral researchers,
• exhibit a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and have the ability to work in diverse and multicultural teams, and
• engage in institutional and science community service.

The position will be filled at the rank of associate professor at MSU within the FRIB Faculty Position System with a joint appointment in the Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The FRIB faculty is comprised of 49 full-time faculty members and is the home of a similar number of postdoctoral researchers, and 144 graduate and 139 undergraduate students. Faculty are jointly appointed in academic departments, which offer degrees at the BS, MS, and PhD levels.

FRIB is a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science user facility and affords world-class research opportunities in low-energy nuclear science since user operation commenced in May 2022. Leveraging FRIB, MSU’s nuclear physics graduate program is a top-ranked program nationally, according to U.S. News and World Report’s rankings of graduate programs.

How to apply

Interested individuals should submit an application through careers.msu.edu, posting #968410.
Applicants must submit all of the below:

1. a cover letter framing their qualifications in the context of this ad.
2. a detailed CV, which should include a list of publications, accepted and pending proposals for funding/resources, contributed and invited talks, teaching and mentoring roles, leadership positions, awards, contributions to the academic community, and efforts in public outreach.
3. a scientific research and technical development statement of up to five pages with resource requirements and its relation to FRIB. Please include descriptions of the applicant’s past, if applicable, and planned commitment to promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity in research.
4. a statement of teaching philosophy of up to two pages. The statement should describe the applicant’s approach to, and/or experience with, classroom teaching and mentoring in research, including experience teaching and mentoring students from broadly diverse demographic and social backgrounds. Please include anticipated challenges and plans to address them. MSU is a leader in evidence-based physics instruction.
5. a statement of up to two pages on current or planned efforts relevant to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) including efforts related to outreach.
6.  and the contact information for at least five references and the applicant’s relationship to them.

For full consideration, applications should be received by September 30, 2024. Applications will be reviewed on a continuing basis until the position is filled. The goal is for the position to commence as early as Spring 2025.

Please address clarifications by email to exp_facsearch2024@frib.msu.edu.

About FRIB and MSU, and the East Lansing community

FRIB enables scientists to make discoveries about the properties of rare isotopes supporting research in the physics of atomic nuclei, nuclear astrophysics, fundamental interactions, and applications of rare isotopes to benefit society.

MSU is located on one of the largest university campuses in the U.S. on 5,300 tree-filled acres. MSU has 17 degree-granting colleges and is a center for academic and research activities as well as the arts and athletics. The greater Lansing area has a population of more than 460,000 and offers lovely suburban areas, urban living opportunities as well as easy-to-get-to rural areas. A symphony orchestra, excellent health care, many community and professional theatres, rivers, lakes, outdoor festivals, close access to large cities and Lake Michigan make for a near-perfect living environment.
U.S. News and World Report named Lansing as No. 4 in the “Best Places to Live in Michigan,” one of the “Best Places to Live in the U.S.,” and one of the “Best Places to Retire in the U.S.” in its 2024-2025 rankings. In its 2024 “Best School Districts in Michigan,” Niche listed two Lansing-area school districts in the top 20: Okemos School District at number four and East Lansing School District at number 19. RentCafe listed East Lansing as No. 2 in its 2024 “Top 10 Best College Towns in Midwest” ranking.

MSU is an affirmative-action, equal opportunity employer and is committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. The University and FRIB encourage applications or nominations of women, persons of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities.