Missions

The project aims to study the nuclear structure evolution of neutron-deficient thulium and lutecium isotopes near the N=82 shell closure and beyond. Measurements in this region of the nuclear chart are crucial to deepen our understanding of the nuclear shape transition from oblate to prolate taking place at N=82.
The missions entrusted will be the off line preparation and the realization of low-energy nuclear physics experiments at the IGISOL facility of Jyväskylä, Finland, as well as the data analysis. The candidate will be encouraged to present the scientific outcome and the technical development during international conferences and to peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Activities

In this project the candidate will:
- Develop laser ionization schemes suitable to the thulium (Tm) and lutecium (Lu) chemical elements.
- Take leadership in conducting experimental tests aiming at producing and measuring fundamental properties of neutron-deficient Tm and Lu.
The tests and actual experiments will take place in the IGISOL hall of the University of Jyväskylä, Finland. This work will be in close collaboration with:
- Research teams working at LPC Caen and GANIL, in France.
- The IGISOL group in Finland.
In the framework of this postdoctoral position the candidate will be responsible for:
- The realization of the (possibly several) experiment(s)
- Publishing the results.
The candidate will also be strongly involved in the last remaining commissioning phases of the experimental setup S3-LEB, a tool dedicated to laser spectroscopy and mass spectrometry of exotic nuclei. S3-LEB is one of the two experimental setups that will be installed at S3 focal plane, a new generation spectrometer currently under development at GANIL, France. S3-LEB has been commissioned off-line at LPC Caen and is currently being installed at GANIL. The first tests with radioactive beams are foreseen end of 2025
In this project the candidate will have the chance to:
- Collaborate with world experts in nuclear physics (working at different facilities such as LPC Caen and GANIL in France, or Jyväskylä in Finland, but also at GSI-FAIR in Germany, KU Leuven in Belgium or at CERN).
- Answer still open questions in nuclear structure or nuclear astrophysics.
Furthermore, the candidate will be encouraged and supported for any interest and scientific questions and technical development you would like to address which are related to low-energy nuclear physics.

Skills

The candidate is expected to:
• Have a PhD in nuclear physics or a related field.
• Have experience in experimental technique related to ion and atom manipulation at low energy. Knowledge in laser spectroscopy and/or mass spectrometry would be considered a plus.
• Have basic knowledge of statistical physics and coding with python/C++/Matlab.
• Have a high proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Communicate your results by writing manuscripts and giving presentations at international conferences.

Work Context

The successful candidate will be assigned to the S3-LEB team of the MPBE (Precision Measurements at Low Energy) group, within the Corpuscular Physics Laboratory of Caen. We care deeply about providing an open and inclusive environment, and prioritize the professional developments and wellbeing of our postdoctoral fellows.
The LPC CAEN, with about 100 staff, is a joint research unit (UMR 6534) under the supervision of three institutions: the CNRS, the University of Caen Normandy (UCN) and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Ingénieurs de Caen (ENSICAEN). It is located on Campus 2 of the University of Caen (Campus Côte de Nacre) and is part of the research park of ENSICAEN (www.lpc-caen.in2p3.fr/).

Constraints and risks

Work under ionizing radiation,
Frequent travel in France and abroad.

Additional Information

Contract funded by the Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique des Particules (IN2P3).