The expected hiring range for this position is:
$68,300.00-$97,967.00.
Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such the scope and responsibilities of the position, qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.
About the Role:
Fermilab is excited to announce one postdoctoral researcher position in artificial intelligence (AI) for science with Dr. Aleksandra Ciprijanovic (alexciprijanovic.com) and her research group! The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team working at the intersection of deep learning, cosmology, and high-energy physics, with opportunities to contribute to both methodological AI research and applications in fundamental science.
In this position, you will have the opportunity to develop and apply new AI algorithms for science. Our group also welcomes new research directions, and collaboration across different groups at the laboratory and beyond. We publish in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, and there will be opportunities for travel and inter-institutional collaboration.
This Research Associate position is a term position for 3 years, renewable for fourth and fifth year depending on funding and performance.
What your day-to-day as a Research Associate at Fermilab will look like:
Broadly, the activities in our group support the innovation, development, and application of advanced statistical and computing techniques to accelerate scientific discovery. In particular, we will develop a general deep learning framework that will advance and speed up AI model development in physics analysis. A particular focus of the project will be on:
- Graph Neural Networks for cosmology, neutrino and/or collider physics,
- Domain adaptation methods / model robustness,
- Uncertainty quantification,
- Model interpretability.
Experience with other deep learning methods, such as Convolutional or Bayesian Neural Networks, Simulation-Based Inference (SBI), Normalizing Flows, or Diffusion Models, is also a plus. The position includes a competitive salary, research/travel funds, access to telescopes, HEP experiments and supercomputing facilities.
Collaborations Synergistic activities in astrophysics/cosmology include involvement with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST), Dark Energy Survey (DES), CAMELS Simulations (camel-simulations.org), and the Deep Skies Laboratory (deepskieslab.com). Synergistic activities in neutrino physics include DUNE, MicroBooNE and ICARUS collaborations, and CMS and ATLAS in collider physics.
Community-building
Our group aims to provide a welcoming and equitable research environment, in which our community members nurture the scientific and professional growth of their colleagues. We expect all group members to respect, understand, and value individual differences. We also expect all group members to abide by and be responsible for performing all duties in accordance with all environmental, health, and safety regulations and practices pertinent to this position.
Mentoring Opportunities
You will directly work with early career researchers (AI associates) and will have the opportunity to mentor and contribute to their work. Outside of the project there will be ample opportunity for working with students and researchers of all levels, as well as outreach and teaching opportunities via official summer programs at Fermilab.
Skills and Attributes for Success:
- PhD in astrophysics, physics, software engineering, computer science or related fields • Strong background in machine learning or statistical methods
- Demonstrated experience in scientific computing and data analysis
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work in a collaborative team
- Research experience in cosmology, or alternatively neutrino or collider physics
- Experience with deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow)
- Experience in collaborative software development
- Publications in leading astrophysics, physics or AI/ML journals/conferences
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Experience or interest in mentoring junior scientists
Application Instructions
Please apply at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/30908
A full application will include
- CV that includes all relevant experience and a list of publications
- Cover letter summarizing your background and interest in the position
- A brief statement of up to 3 pages of your research interests and how you envision contributing to the group’s research program
- Three letters of reference
Complete applications received by November 30, 2025 (11:59pm AoE) will receive full consideration.
Questions can be directed to Aleksandra Ciprijanovic (aleksand@fnal.gov). Please don’t hesitate to ask anything you’re unsure about!
Benefits/Perks:
Fermilab offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits program, including:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending Accounts
- Paid time off
- Life insurance
- Short and Long-term disability insurance
- Retirement benefits
- On-site day care
Why Fermilab:
Fermilab is America’s premier laboratory for particle physics and accelerator research, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. We support discovery science experiments in Illinois and locations around the world, including deep underground mines in South Dakota and Canada, mountaintops in Arizona and Chile, CERN in Europe and the South Pole.
Drug-Free Workplace & Pre-Employment Screening
Fermilab is dedicated to fostering a safe, productive, and drug-free work environment. As part of the hiring process, candidates must successfully complete a background check and drug screening. Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of these screenings.
Equal Opportunity Statement
Fermilab is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected categories.
REAL-ID Requirement for access to Fermilab Campus
Fermilab requires all members of the public to produce a REAL-ID, or equivalent, to access the Fermilab Campus for interviews or career events. A list of acceptable forms of ID can be found here: https://get-connected.fnal.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/REALID-Documents.pdf. If a candidate is selected for an interview but does not possess any of the equivalent documents, we may schedule a virtual interview.
What To Expect Next:
We’ll be in touch! If your qualifications are in alignment with the position requirements, one of our recruiters will be reaching out to schedule a phone interview to learn more about your career interests and goals. In the meantime, we encourage you to check us out on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, or our About Us page.
