Postdoctoral Fellow in Axion Search Experiment

The Department of Physics is one of the biggest departments within the Faculty of Science and supports a broad range of basic research in experimental and theoretical physics. It has about 250 employees, of which 95 are PhD students. Many have been internationally recruited. The Department is part of the AlbaNova University Center, which apart from the Department of Physics houses the Department of Astronomy, the Physics Departments at the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH), and the Nordic Institute for Theoretical Physics (Nordita). The positions are within the Oskar Klein Centre of Cosmoparticle Physics. The Centre houses research groups from Stockholm University and KTH Royal Institute of Technology. The Centre hosts a vibrant research programme on dark matter, dark energy, transient and multimessenger astrophysics, galaxy evolution, structure formation, and related particle physics questions, including LHC-based studies.

Project description

The position is part of the ALPHA project, an international collaboration dedicated to the search for dark matter axions using a novel wire-array cavity known as a plasma haloscope. The ALPHA Collaboration brings together researchers from leading global institutions, including Stockholm University, Yale University, Arizona State University, University of California Berkeley, University of Cambridge, Colorado University, University of Iceland, ITMO University, Johns Hopkins University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and Wellesley College.

Stockholm University plays a leading role in this global effort, with a particular focus on developing tuning mechanisms for resonators, advancing photon detection techniques, and building a robust data analysis framework. Our rapidly growing research group currently comprises four senior scientists, including Nobel Laureate and ALPHA Project Scientist Frank Wilczek, alongside three postdoctoral researchers and one PhD student.

For more information, visit: https://axion-dm.yale.edu/alpha-experiment

Main responsibilities

The position involves designing and testing microwave cavities in cryogenic environments using a dilution refrigerator system. Based on wire-array metamaterials, these cavities are designed to operate at resonant frequencies above 10 GHz. The role also includes designing the full-scale resonator for the ALPHA Phase 1 deployment. A smaller portion of the position may involve developing photon detection systems and superconducting cavities.

Additional responsibilities include disseminating research findings through peer-reviewed publications and presentations at scientific conferences.

Qualification requirements

Postdoctoral positions are appointed primarily for purposes of research. Applicants are expected to hold a Swedish doctoral degree or an equivalent degree from another country.

Assessment criteria

The degree must have been completed at latest before the employment decision is made, but no more than three years before the closing date. An older degree may be acceptable under special circumstances. Special reasons refer to sick leave, parental leave, elected positions in trade unions, service in the total defense, or other similar circumstances as well as clinical attachment or service/assignments relevant to the subject area.

In the appointment process, special attention will be given to research skills.

Terms of employment

The position involves full-time scholarship for two years. Start date: January 2026 or as per agreement.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

Further information about the position can be obtained from Jun-Woo Jeoung, telephone: +46 70 643 72 36, jun-woo.jeoung@fysik.su.se.

Union representatives

Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/OFR), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, and seko@seko.su.se (SEKO).

Application

You apply directly to the project manager Jun-Woo Jeoung jun-woo.jeoung@fysik.su.se

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of publications
• Copy of PhD diploma
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
• Publications in support of your application (no more than 3 files).
  
  

You are welcome to apply!