Postdoctoral Researcher at the Medical physics and radiation detectors group

Application deadline:  23 March 2026

Job type: employment contract (full time)

Scientific discipline: Physics, medical scanner, detector development, data analysis, and data science

Monthly gross salary before taxes: 9361 PLN gross/month (estimated value “on hand” = 7925 PLN net/month)

Maximum period of contract: The initial term is for two years with an option of renewal if mutually agreed.

Position starts on: 01.04.2026

Link to the job offer on Euraxess

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Offer description

Institution: Astrocent Department of the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Project leader: Marcin Kuźniak

Project title: Astrocent: Particle Astrophysics Technology Centre
(Supported by the Foundation for Polish Science International Research Agendas Programme, financed from the European Funds for a Modern Economy programme)

Project description:

We offer a postdoctoral position in the field of medical scanners and experimental particle astrophysics at the Particle Astrophysics Technology Centre (Astrocent) implemented at the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center as part of the International Research Agendas programme of the Foundation for Polish Science, supported by the European Funds for a Modern Economy. The main focus of Astrocent is to conduct research in science and technology in the areas of particle astrophysics that deal with exploring the hidden Universe.

Advisor: Prof. Masayuki Wada (masayuki@camk.edu.pl)

Successful applicants will be expected to join the “Medical physics and radiation detectors” group led by Prof. Masayuki Wada. In our group, we are developing a clinical Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanner by using xenon-doped liquid argon (Xe-LAr) as a monolithic scintillating medium read out by cryogenic silicon photomultipliers (SiPMs) with custom digital proximity readout. This combination enables sub-100 ps time-of-flight (TOF) precision and millimetre-scale spatial resolution, surpassing the limits of conventional crystal-based scanners. The Xe-LAr offers superior light yield, fast scintillation response, and ultra-low noise due to cryogenic operation, leading to a significant increase in sensitivity, the key factor enabling radiation dose reduction.

The primary responsibility of this position is to design and develop the cryogenic system handling Xe-LAr mixture for the PET scanner and the development of digital photosensor, as well as to participate in the construction and commissioning of the DarkSide-20k experiment. The successful candidate will also take an active role in the ongoing R&D projects towards the precise calibration for low-energy nuclear recoils in liquid argon detectors.

The position will be based at AstroCeNT in Warsaw, Poland, and may involve occasional travel to LNGS underground laboratory in Italy or CERN. We are seeking applicants who received their Ph.D. in experimental particle or nuclear physics or related fields within the past 5 years. In particular, we look for applicants with experience in data analysis, data acquisition, or hardware development.

Astrocent (https://astrocent.edu.pl) was established on 1 July 2018 within the framework of the International Research Agendas Programme of the Foundation for Polish Science. Its significant expansion has been recently made possible with a combined 30 MEur of funding from the Horizon Europe Teaming of Excellence programme, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the Foundation for Polish Science.

At Astrocent, research is focused primarily on the areas of the detection of neutrinos, gravitational waves and dark matter using advanced technological instruments, whose development will be among the prime areas of activity of the Centre, as well as on theory.

Astrocent has developed close collaborative links with institutions in Europe and worldwide, in particular with our strategic partners APC (Astroparticle and Cosmology Laboratory) in Paris and the McDonald Institute in Canada.

Currently, IRAP Astrocent project comprises three international research groups of physicists and engineers:

1. Photonics for astroparticle physics and sustainable energy (leader: Prof. Marcin Kuźniak);
2. Medical physics and radiation detectors (leader: Prof. Masayuki Wada);
3. Electronics, seismic and environmental sensors (leader: Dr. Mariusz Suchenek).

Astrocent is formally an administrative division of Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of the Polish Academy of Sciences (http://www.camk.edu.pl) – an internationally leading institute in astronomy and astrophysics. The transformation of  Astrocent into a new independent institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences is currently in progress (https://astrocent.edu.pl/astrocent-becomes-a-new-international-institute-of-the-polish-academy-of-sciences/).

Astrocent strongly values the diversity of candidates and is committed to the equality of opportunities.

Key responsibilities include

1. Designing the inner structure of the PET scanner in a 3D CAD, developing a slow control software for the cryogenic system, and developing a prototype of the digital photosensor.
2. Evaluation of the performance of the cryogenic system and the digital photosensor.
3. Actively participate in the research program in Astrocent.
4. Co-operation with the other research teams at Astrocent.
5. Readiness to apply for grants.
6. Mentoring PhD students.

Requirements

1. A potential candidate should have a background in physics, a PhD degree in physics, or a relevant field.
2. Ability to work and collaborate in research teams in a competitive environment.

3. Other requirements:

• Programming skills (C, C++, Matlab, Python, LabVIEW),
• Knowledge and experience in designing with 3D CAD software,
• Hardware experience, especially in fluid handling and cryogenic systems,
• English language skills allow for work in an international environment,
• Strong track record of past research,
• Potential to attract grant funding.

Required documents

1. A Curriculum Vitae including an education and employment record, list of publications, information on involvement in scientific activities – membership in scientific groups/societies, participation in scientific conferences, internships and training, awards and distinctions;
2. A statement of research interests;
3. A publication list;
4. A photocopy of the PhD diploma;
5. A copy of the PhD thesis (if not confidential);
6. At least two, preferably three, letters of reference emailed by the referees directly to ac_recruitment@camk.edu.pl before the deadline;
7. A scan of the signed GDPD form (available at https://dream.camk.edu.pl/index.php/s/xxBVGNexqbFy2GB or  https://dream.camk.edu.pl/index.php/s/iipbk0Fjm7s2KM3)

We offer

1. An open, stimulating and friendly research environment with access to all the facilities.
2. Close collaboration with foreign institutions, with the necessary financial support for travel and scientific visits

Please submit the following documents to: ac_recruitment@camk.edu.pl

Interviews for shortlisted candidates are planned for 25 of March 2026

Apply now