The experimental high energy physics group at the University of California, Davis invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in quantum precision measurements. The group specializes in instrumentation for precision measurements for ultralight dark matter and gravitational wave searches.

The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Prof. Aggarwal and is expected to play a leading role in development of a new tabletop radio-frequency gravitational wave detector. This gravitational wave detector is a Fabry-Perot Michelson interferometer combined with optical trapping of a micro-disk in each of the arm cavities. The work will be in close collaboration with the detector team at Northwestern University in Prof. Andrew Geraci’s group. As such, there might be opportunities or requirements for traveling to Chicago depending on the experiment requirements. The two detectors will be run jointly.

Prof. Aggarwal is also involved in a search for short-range spin-dependent forces mediated by the QCD axion through the ARIADNE experiment. The group will be building a precision magnetometry facility at UC Davis as well as developing the analysis pipeline for both backgrounds and signals analysis in ARIADNE. Additionally, the group is involved in the LIGO collaboration, primarily focusing on searching for dark matter using LIGO.

A Ph.D. in physics or a related field at the time of appointment is required. The appointment is initially for two years and renewable annually, subject to mutual satisfaction.

The position is open immediately and will remain open until filled. Interested candidates can apply by sending a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and statement of research interests and experience, all in PDF format, and arrange to have at least three letters of reference sent to the Department of Physics & Astronomy at qpm-postdoc@ucdavis.edu.

All inquiries should be directed to qpm-postdoc@ucdavis.edu.
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HOW TO APPLY:

Contact: qpm-postdoc@ucdavis.edu

Candidates must have completed a Ph.D. in Physics or related area(s) prior to beginning employment.

Experience with various aspects of interferometry, precision measurements, instrumentation, precision measurements, and new physics searches.

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.

• Cover Letter

• Statement of Research - Please note: This is a 4-page limit document and should include your statement of research interests and experience.

• Statement of Teaching (Optional)

• Statement of Contributions to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion - Contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion documented in the application file will be used to evaluate applicants. Visit

• 2-4 letters of reference required

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We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals’ with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community. For the complete University of California nondiscrimination and affirmative action policy see:

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