Postdoctoral positions in Particle Astrophysics at the Wisconsin IceCube Particle Astrophysics Center

Position Description

The Wisconsin IceCube Particle Astrophysics Center (WIPAC) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (UW) invites applications for several postdoctoral scholar positions in particle astrophysics, including the prestigious John Bahcall Fellowship. We welcome applicants in experiment, theory and phenomenology, data analysis, instrumentation, and artificial intelligence, with interest in high-energy neutrinos, gamma rays, cosmic rays, or multi-messenger astrophysics.

WIPAC is home to Nobel laureate Francis Halzen, whose leadership of the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and contributions to the discovery of high-energy astrophysical neutrinos were recognized with the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics. WIPAC plays a leading role in a range of particle astrophysics projects, including the IceCube Neutrino Observatory, IceCube-Gen2, the Cherenkov Telescope Array Observatory (CTAO), Askaryan Radio Array (ARA), Radio Neutrino Observatory in Greenland (RNO-G), High-Altitude Water Cherenkov (HAWC) Observatory, Southern Wide-field Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO), and also has a broad theory program in particle astrophysics.

Research opportunities span neutrino astronomy, gamma-ray astronomy, multi-messenger astrophysics, neutrino oscillations, cosmic rays, dark matter, machine learning for event reconstruction and simulation, and the theory and phenomenology of high-energy astrophysical sources.

Postdoctoral researchers will work closely with WIPAC faculty Ke Fang, Francis Halzen, Dan Hooper, Albrecht Karle, Lu Lu, and Justin Vandenbroucke, as well as with WIPAC students, staff scientists, and postdoctoral scholars. UW provides a highly collaborative research environment with strong connections to astrophysics, particle physics, cosmology, computing, and data science, including in the UW Departments of Physics and Astronomy, as well as the Data Science Institute.

All applicants will be considered for WIPAC’s John Bahcall Fellowship. This named postdoctoral fellowship honors John Bahcall, a founding member of the IceCube observatory, whose work on the physics of the Sun helped establish neutrino astronomy. The John Bahcall fellowship includes an independent research budget and substantial research freedom.

Applicants must hold a PhD in physics, astronomy, or a closely related field before the start date. Successful candidates will have demonstrated excellence in research in the areas mentioned above, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively.

Postdoctoral positions are typically for two to three years, with the possibility of extension up to five years contingent on performance, funding, and total years of postdoc experience. All positions come with a competitive salary and are eligible for UW benefits, including paid parental leave, and support for travel to collaboration meetings, conferences and, where relevant, field sites. We anticipate hiring 2-3 positions. The start date is negotiable, typically between spring and fall 2027.

To apply, submit all materials listed below through AcademicJobsOnline. Submission by January 4, 2027 is strongly preferred; however applications will be considered until the positions are filled.

• Cover letter (up to one page) describing research interests and preferred areas of work.
• Curriculum vitae, including publications and major contributions.
• Research statement (up to three pages).
• Three letters of recommendation.

Inquiries can be sent to postdoc@wipac.wisc.edu or the relevant WIPAC faculty (kefang@physics.wisc.edu, francis.halzen@icecube.wisc.edu, dwhooper@wisc.edu, akarle@wisc.edu, lu.lu@icecube.wisc.edu, justin.vandenbroucke@wisc.edu).