Missions

The recruited postdoctoral researcher will contribute to the development of atomic structure calculations to interpret experimental results from the QUARTET (spectroscopy of light muonic atoms) and PAX (X-ray spectroscopy of antiprotonic atoms) programs, conducted at the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI, Switzerland) and CERN (Switzerland), respectively. The researcher will work in close collaboration with experimental teams to ensure consistency between the theory and observed spectra.

Activités

Perform atomic structure calculations in exotic systems (muonic, antiprotonic), including quantum electrodynamics (QED) corrections.

Develop or adapt existing codes to include relativistic and radiative effects (self-energy, vacuum polarization, etc.).

Collaborate with experimentalists to interpret collected X-ray spectra, particularly for the 2p–1s transition in QUARTET and high-n Rydberg transitions in PAX.

Participate in scientific meetings of the PAX and QUARTET collaborations and contribute occasionally to the supervision of interns or junior researchers.

Prepare scientific publications and present results at international conferences.

Compétences

PhD in atomic theoretical physics, fundamental physics, or mathematical physics.

Strong background in numerical methods for relativistic atomic structure calculations.

Experience with QED corrections and effective QED models in heavy or exotic atoms.

Proficiency in scientific programming (Fortran, C++, Python, etc.).

Team spirit and ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment (theory/experiment).

Good command of scientific English (spoken and written).

Contexte de travail

This position is part of two high-level international research efforts:

QUARTET (Paul Scherrer Institute): Spectroscopy of fundamental transitions in light muonic atoms to refine nuclear charge radius measurements and test strong-field QED.

PAX (CERN/ELENA): Study of QED contributions in antiprotonic atoms, particularly in high-n Rydberg states, where nuclear effects are negligible.

The researcher will be hosted at the Laboratoire Kastler Brossel in Paris, a leading laboratory in quantum and fundamental physics, and will work closely with international partners (CERN, PSI, NIST).

Contraintes et risques

Research subject involves complexity requiring rigor and autonomy.

Scientific timelines must align with experimental schedules at PSI and CERN.

Coordination with international teams may require occasional meetings outside normal hours (due to time zone differences).

Occasional travel to Switzerland (PSI, CERN) may be required.