Professional Research Assistant

Position Details

University of Colorado | Denver

Faculty Level/Title: Professional Research Assistant

Working Title: Professional Research Assistant

FTE: Full-time | Hybrid

Salary Range: $55,000 -- $60,000/yr

Position #00669509- Requisition #37144

Join the University of Colorado Denver

About the University of Colorado - Denver
Millions of moments start at CU Denver, a place where innovation, research, and learning meet in the heart of a global city. We're the state's premier public urban research university with more than 100 in-demand, top ranked bachelors, master's, and doctoral degree programs. We partner with diverse learners-at any stage of their life and career-for transformative educational experiences. Across seven schools and colleges, our leading faculty inspires and works alongside students to solve complex challenges and produce impactful creative work. As part of the state's largest university system, CU Denver is a major contributor to the Colorado economy, with 2,000 employees and an annual economic impact of $800 million. To learn more about how CU Denver helps learners meet their moment, visit ucdenver.edu.

Job Description

* Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers *

The successful applicant will work with Drs. Amy Roberts and Anthony Villano on the general topic of dark matter physics.

Dr. Amy Roberts works to detect dark matter and to build tools that increase the trust in results from this discipline. This position focuses on using machine learning to create fake signal ("salt") that we can add to the data to test our analysis procedures. This job will require that you work with SuperCDMS software to test the quality of the salt (25% in the first year and then 0% in the second year).

Dr. Anthony Villano works to detect dark matter with the SuperCDMS collaboration. A key portion of the SuperCDMS SNOLAB project--which will start taking data in 2025--is the calibration of the instrument for extremely low-energy nuclear recoil events. Villano's group has been pioneering a method using thermal neutron capture that can be applied to the SNOLAB project when using the 252-Cf sources. The candidate will make plans, execute calibrations, and disseminate products based on this novel method. (75% in the first year, 100% in second year). We strongly encourage individuals who meet the minimum requirements to apply.

Professional Research Assistant

What you will do:

• (Year 1: 37.5%, Year 2: 50%)): Assess and plan for a thermal-neutron calibration for SuperCDMS SNOLAB
• (Year 1: 37.5%, Year 2: 50%): Become an expert in SuperCDMS electronics and deploy firmware for thermal-neutron calibration at SNOLAB and beyond.
• Year 1 (25%): Utilizing machine learning (ML) to create fake signal ("salt") that we can add to data to test analysis procedures.

Qualifications you already possess (Minimum Qualifications)

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Master's degree or higher in physics or related field.
• Two years of experience writing and debugging C++ and Python.
• Experience with distributed version control (e.g. Git, Mercurial).
• A minimum of two years of development experience in a unix/linux shell. Must include familiarity with a terminal-based text editor.
• One year or more of experience with firmware development with FPGAs.
• Experience working with bit-level operations on files(e.g. bit shifting, bit masking, serializing or de-serializing binary data).

Preferred Qualification to possess (Preferred Qualifications)

• Experience with creating, testing, and improving technical documentation.
• Experience working in High-Performance-Computing (HPC) environments.
• Experience with computational workflow software (e.g. Pegasus, Make, Snakemake, CWL, Yadage, etc.).
• Experience performing analysis with ROOT files.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Factual knowledge in particle detection and experience with the analysis of data from particle detectors.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Ability to create, test, and improve technical documentation.
• Ability to document research and communicate it as it is accomplished, either in notebooks or with computer/online tools.
• Ability to work independently, be a key driver of research publications, and work across a multi-university collaboration.
• Familiarity with nuclear processes, especially neutron capture.
• Familiarity with data from the Cryogenic Dark Matter Search.

Conditions of Employment

• Occasional work during the evening and/or weekends may be required.
• This position follows a hybrid work structure where employees can work remotely or from the office, as needed, based on demands of specific tasks or personal work preferences. Working from the office is encouraged when working on tasks that require a high degree of collaboration.

Mental, Physical, and/or Environmental Requirements

• The ability to sit for extended periods, stand and walk occasionally, reach with hands and arms, use hands to manipulate a keyboard and mouse, and have good near vision for computer work; often requiring minimal lifting, but may involve bending or reaching to retrieve items from shelves or drawers.
• Occasionally moving equipment for 1-2 hours (with breaks), each piece weighing up to 40 pounds.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

The University will provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at workplaceengagement@ucdenver.edu.

Employment Sponsorship

Please be advised that this position is not eligible now or in the future for visa sponsorship.

Compensation and Benefits

The salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established at $55,000-$60,000.

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty, and training.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado Denver provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Benefits statement to include in all benefits-eligible positions. See Eligibility Matrix.

Benefits: https://www.cu.edu/employee-services/benefits

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Application Deadline

• Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Preference will be given to complete applications received by Monday June 30, 2025. Those who do not apply by this date may or may not be considered.

Required Application Materials:

To apply, please visit: http://www.cu.edu/cu-careers and attach:

• A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position.
• Curriculum vitae / Resume outlining experience(s).
• Two professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address. (We will notify you prior to contacting both on and off-list references).

Questions should be directed to Dr. Anthony Villano, anthony.villano@ucdenver.edu

Background Check Policy

The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a safe and productive educational, clinical, research and employment environment. All prospective employees and current employees must, therefore, consent to and pass background checks prior to any final appointment/employment.