Post-doctoral Position

Detailed Description:

The Nuclear Structure and Energy group of the SUBATECH laboratory has experimental activities

devoted to the study of beta decay properties of nuclei of interest nuclear structure and astrophysics,

antineutrino spectra and reactor physics, in close collaboration with the team of IFIC Valencia in

Spain. These measurements are performed using the TAGS (Total Absorption Gamma-ray

Spectroscopy) technique, based on the detection of the gamma rays de-exciting the daughter nucleus

with a calorimeter. This technique gives access to the beta strength distribution, directly comparable to

theoretical microscopic models. It allows in addition to avoid the Pandemonium effect.

The main tasks of the postdoctoral researcher will be related to the experiments described below. An

experiment, proposed by SUBATECH, IFIC and Surrey, is planned at the Jyväskylä facility in 2019

aiming at measuring with a new electron detector beta energy spectra from first forbidden decays of

fission products which are important contributors to the reactor antineutrino spectrum. The study of

forbidden decays is also of interest for nucleosynthesis processus such as the r-process. In addition,

new TAGS experiments proposed by the SUBATECH team in collaboration with the team from IFIC

of Valencia are planned to occur in 2019-2020 at the JYFL in Jyväskylä, Finland and at the ALTO

facility in Orsay. The physics cases propose, on the one hand, to study the Gamow-Teller strength

accessible through beta decay in the vicinity of 132Sn and to illustrate a recent idea proposed by the

team to study low-lying collective modes through beta decay. Moreover some of the proposed nuclei

are beta-delayed neutron emitters and are of importance for the r-process. On the other hand, another

proposal focusses on cases that are relevant for reactor antineutrinos and decay heat.

The postdoctoral researcher will participate to the above experimental activities depending on the

timing of the experiments in 2019-2020. The work will be composed of instrumental developments

and data analysis. Applicants should have their PhD (in nuclear physics) at the time of the starting date

and have a postdoctoral experience of less than two years. A good experience in experimental

nuclear structure and in C++ programming, in particular with ROOT and GEANT4, would be an

advantage. The candidates should demonstrate the ability to work in a research environment, prepare

research results for publication and for presentation at scientific meetings. The contract is funded for

12 months by the region Pays de Loire, and the group may have a possibility to extend it for a few

months through a European contract.

The review of applications is starting now and will continue until the position is filled. However,

priority will be given to applications received before the deadline of February 20. The job can start

from one to two months after this deadline or at latest from September 2019. Applicants should apply

through the following official CNRS web-site: https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR6457-

SOPHUG-004/Default.aspx

Applicants need also to arrange for two letters of reference to be sent directly to the following email

address: muriel.fallot@subatech.in2p3.fr