Research Associate (ECA)

The expected hiring range for this position is:

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 () 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 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 Observatorys Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) Dark Energy Survey (DES) CAMELS Simulations () and the Deep Skies Laboratory (). 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 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 groups 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 (). Please dont hesitate to ask anything youre 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 Americas 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: 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:
Well 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 the meantime we encourage you to check us out on Facebook X Instagram LinkedIn or our About Us page.