Bruce Mitchell postdoctoral position in theDarkSide-20k and DEAP experiments

Open until filled. Review begins November 1, 2025

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral researcher in the SuperCDMS group at Queen’s University in Kingston, ON. 

The experimental particle astrophysics group at Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada, which is part of the McDonald Institute (https://mcdonaldinstitute.ca/), expects to hire a postdoc to work on the argon dark matter searches DarkSide-20k and DEAP 3600 with Professors Philippe Di Stefano, Michela Lai, Art McDonald and Peter Skensved, and with scientists at the TRIUMF laboratory. The postdoc will be actively involved in the development and commissioning of digital electronics and DAQ for the DarkSide-20k experiment at Gran Sasso with 20 tonnes of fiducial liquid argon extracted from an underground source. The postdoc will also contribute to data analysis and operations for DEAP 3600, a 3-tonne argon dark matter search located at SNOLAB in Canada. These experiments are a stepping-stone towards a 300-tonne fiducial detector, Argo, for which the preferred location is SNOLAB. Work will be carried out in conjunction with the TRIUMF laboratory in Vancouver, with CERN, and with Gran Sasso.

 Start Date, Duration, and Remuneration 

Full-time 1 year appointment starting first quarter 2026, with renewal for 1 year subject to funding and performance. Remuneration from the Bruce Mitchell Research Program will be in the range of 58-65 k$/year depending on experience. 

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 Required Qualifications 

• Candidates must have obtained a PhD in physics or applied physics, with a specialization in particle physics, nuclear physics, or instrumentation. In exceptional circumstances, PhD candidates with a firm date of defence will be considered. 
• The ability to perform independent research and to communicate results verbally and in writing. 
• The ability to work in a team, including both graduate and undergraduate students. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience with particle detectors, including readout, and scintillators. 
• Knowledge of liquid argon. 
• Experience in rare-event searches and with low backgrounds. 
• Proficiency in Python and Root. 

 Application 

Provide cover letter, full CV (including link to doctoral dissertation), 2 letters of recommendation (sent directly from the official email of the referee) to P. Di Stefano (distefan@queensu.ca). Review of applications begins November 1, 2025; applications will be considered until the position is filled. 

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY: The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Queen’s is strongly committed to employment equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and encourages applications from Black, racialized/visible minority and Indigenous/Aboriginal people, women, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons.

ACCOMMODATION IN THE WORKPLACE: The University has policies in place to support its employees with disabilities, including an Accommodation in the Workplace Policy and a policy on the provision of job accommodations that take into account an employee’s accessibility needs due to disability. The University will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant’s accessibility needs. If you require accommodation during the interview process, please contact P. Di Stefano (distefan@queensu.ca)