The Department of Physics is seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Researcher within the newly funded Research Council of Finland project DopCool (Doppler and Sympathetic Cooling for Ultra-High Precision Mass Measurements of Short-Lived Radioactive Ions), hosted at the IGISOL facility within the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä. The position will start in November 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter, for a duration of 1 year with the possibility of extension by another 2 years. The position is fixed-term, as it is related to the research project DopCool.
The project will pioneer laser-based cooling techniques for short-lived radioactive ions and establish a new experimental paradigm for ultra-high-precision mass measurements at the IGISOL facility and beyond. Using lasers, the ions will be slowed and cooled close to absolute zero before injection into the JYFLTRAP Penning trap mass spectrometer. The ultra-high-precision mass measurements will be key to testing the limits of the Standard Model of particle physics and to exploring possible new physics.
The postdoctoral researcher will take a leading role in the installation and operation of the laser systems, in the optimization of the laser-cooling trap built by our collaboration partners at KU Leuven, in the first Doppler and sympathetic cooling measurements of stable and radioactive ions and in the integration of the laser-cooling trap with the JYFLTRAP Penning trap mass spectrometer. Furthermore, the postdoctoral researcher will have opportunities to participate in mass spectrometry and laser spectroscopic measurements, to propose and conduct measurements at IGISOL, and to collaborate with researchers from all over the world.
The postdoctoral researcher will work in an international environment at the IGISOL facility, within the Accelerator Laboratory of the University of Jyväskylä. The facility is used to conduct research at the intersection of fundamental symmetries, nuclear and atomic physics using techniques in laser spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and ion trapping.
The selected postdoctoral researcher will:
- Develop laser-cooling techniques for trapped ions including the setup and operation of laser systems
- Optimize the laser-cooling trap built by our collaboration partners from KU Leuven, Belgium
- Design, commission and optimize beam-manipulation devices for optimal ion injection into the Penning trap
- Integrate the laser-cooling trap with the JYFLTRAP Penning-trap mass spectrometer
- Perform Doppler and Sympathetic Cooling measurements of stable and radioactive ions
- Study ultracold ion ensembles and their application to precision mass spectrometry
- Participate in experiments at the IGISOL radioactive-ion-beam facility
- Develop and apply simulation tools for an improved understanding of the ion motion and cooling dynamics
- Present scientific results at international conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals
Who should apply
The duties, qualification requirements, and language skills of a postdoctoral researcher are stipulated by the University of Jyväskylä Regulations and language skills guidelines. The PhD degree required for the position must have been completed before the starting date.
Experience in the following areas is required:
- Experimental atomic, nuclear or particle physics
- Laser systems
- Vacuum technology and instrumentation
- Electronics, data acquisition and scientific programming (e.g. Python)
- Data Analysis
Experience in one or more of the following areas is considered advantageous:
- Doppler and Sympathetic Cooling
- Ion trapping and charged-particle manipulation
- Mass spectrometry
- Laser Spectroscopy
- Familiarity with the production of radioactive ion beams with the IGISOL or ISOL technique
- Mentoring of less experienced team members (i.e. students)
Strong motivation for experimental research, excellent problem-solving skills, the ability to work effectively in an international research environment, and good written and spoken English skills are essential.
What we offer
Come to Jyväskylä, Finland, and join our vibrant and inspiring community!
At the University of Jyväskylä, you will be a valued member of our community with a unique opportunity to contribute to international research. You will become part of our international and multidisciplinary community that prioritizes the wellbeing of each individual. Our lively campus provides excellent opportunities for maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle.
Finland, named the world’s happiest country for consecutive years since 2018, offers a high standard of living with free education (also in English), affordable childcare, generous family benefits, and comprehensive healthcare. Work–life balance is highly valued in Finland, and employees enjoy four to six weeks of annual holiday. Jyväskylä is located in central Finland, just three hours by train from the capital Helsinki. Part of the Finnish Lakeland, the city offers easy access to nature and a range of outdoor, sports and exercise activities. As a major centre of education with a large student population, it also features a vibrant cultural scene. For more information about the University of Jyväskylä, the city of Jyväskylä, and living in Finland, see the University's International Staff Guide.
Salaries are based on job demands and employees’ performance following the Finnish University Salary System. The salary for a Postdoctoral Researcher is determined based on the task-specific demand level 5 teaching and research staff. The salary range will be approximately 3700-4200 €/month (gross income), depending on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. A holiday bonus is paid to all employees. If you are relocating from abroad, we will support your move to Jyväskylä and Finland. A trial period of six months will be used in the beginning of the employment.
We offer good working conditions for researchers and promote the principles of HR Excellence in Research, HRS4R. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is based on the values of the European Charter for Researchers & The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code). JYU is committed to fairness, consistency and transparency in selection decisions, and undertakes the recommendations for the responsible evaluation of a researcher in Finland. JYU has signed the DORA Declaration. By signing the agreement, JYU is committed to complying with the CoARA principles.
How to apply?
To apply, your ORCID profile (https://orcid.org) must be up to date and your publications must be visible to the public (Set visibility: Everyone).
The application documents that should be included in English and in PDF format:
- A Curriculum vitae, composed according to good scientific practice and considering the template for researcher´s curriculum vitae by The Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity.
- A short and informal motivation/cover letter (max 2 pages), including your research interests, career goals and previous experience and merits in relation to the qualifications for this position.
- A numbered list of all scientific publications and other publications showing the applicant's ability and merits for the position using the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland.
- Degree certificate (highest degree).
- Two reference letters sent directly to [email protected].
We look forward to receiving your application in our recruitment system by 25th September, 2026. Applications sent via email are not considered.
For further information, please contact Academy Research Fellow Franziska Maria Maier, [email protected].
Our application process is transparent, professional and international. We communicate openly with the applicants throughout the recruitment process. We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage qualified applicants to apply for this position.
