IHEP Introduction
The Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing is one of the largest and most prestigious research institutions dedicated to high-energy physics. With over 1,500 full-time employees and more than 900 postdoctoral and graduate students, IHEP serves as a pivotal center for pioneering research in high-energy physics. The institute is committed to major scientific and technological explorations, as well as leading high-energy projects that advance relevant fields of research. Furthermore, IHEP actively fosters partnerships and collaborations with universities and research institutions worldwide, enriching its contribution to the global scientific community.
AMS Experiment
The Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS) experiment is an international collaboration involving 60 universities from Europe, Asia, and the United States. AMS is a high-precision particle physics detector operating on the International Space Station (ISS) that uses the unique environment of space to probe the universe in search of antimatter and the origin of dark matter, and to make precision measurements of charged cosmic rays from primordial sources in space. AMS has collected over 230 billion cosmic ray events up to multi-TeV energies and will continue to collect and analyze an increasing volume of statistics at the highest energies. On December 31, 2021, the White House announced that the Space Station will be extended to 2030. The U.S. Department of Energy's Blue Ribbon Panel, chaired by Nobel Laureate Barry Barish, has reviewed the achievements of AMS and has recommended that AMS be upgraded to increase its acceptance by 300% as quickly as possible.
Job Opportunities
Successful applicant will join the AMS group at IHEP, led by Prof. YAN Qi, a former senior staff member at MIT for 10 years, who led the AMS detector software development and AMS data analysis. The IHEP AMS group has major responsibilities in the AMS upgrade by adding a new silicon tracker detector layer (L0) on top of the existing 9-layer silicon tracker detector, which is expected to be launched and installed in early 2026. The group will also be responsible for all AMS offline software development and maintenance (such as periodic calibration/alignment for the AMS time-of-flight detector and silicon tracker detector) and AMS data analysis. Candidates may choose to work on the following topics:
1. 1. AMS L0 Upgrade;
Participate in the construction of the L0 detector, optical survey of the detector module, beam testing, and space operations. Major tasks include L0 detector software development, calibration, and alignment.
2. Development of Advanced AMS Detector Reconstruction Algorithm, Calibration, and Related Software;
(The development can be for any AMS sub-detector, including the silicon tracker, the time-of-flight detector, the calorimeter, the ring imaging Cherenkov detector, and the transition radiation detector)
3. Measurement of Cosmic Ray Spectra;
AMS has accurately measured the spectra of 16 different cosmic ray nuclei and published a number of important physics results with percent precision. Future work includes the analysis of 12 highly charged heavy nuclei that AMS has not yet published. These results will provide unique insights into cosmic rays for the decades to come.
4. Search for Antimatter (Antihelium and Antinuclei) in Cosmic Rays and Other New Physics;
5. Cosmic Ray Nuclei Isotope Measurements;
Successful candidates may be promoted to tenured faculty at IHEP after the postdoctoral period, with the opportunity to become a core member of the international AMS research team. Candidates may choose to be based either in Beijing or at CERN, with a preference for Beijing. Those based in Beijing will have opportunities for short-term travel to CERN every few months.
Diversity and Inclusion
IHEP values diversity and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds worldwide. Beijing, an international city, offers vibrant communities and international schools with complete K-12 education systems. Chinese language skills are not required. We provide comprehensive logistical support for international candidates to assist with relocation, living arrangements, and all other aspects of settling in Beijing.
Application Details
Positions are available on a rolling basis. The annual salary ranges from 400,000-600,000 RMB (approximately 56,000-83,000 USD) with sufficient financial support for research. Applications should include a curriculum vitae and a statement of research interests. Please also provide the names and contact information of three references who will provide letters of recommendation upon request.
For any questions regarding the application process, please contact Prof. YAN Qi at qyan@ihep.ac.cn. We look forward to receiving your application and to welcoming new talents to the IHEP AMS group.
Institute of High Energy Physics
Experimental Physics Division
19B, Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing 100049
Contact: Prof. YAN Qi (qyan@ihep.ac.cn)
