QUP Postdoctoral Fellows in Experimental Physics

Position Description

We are seeking outstanding applicants for several Postdoctoral Fellow positions at QUP in experimental physics.

QUP aims to explore new quantum fields and forces and probe physical phenomena with extremely weak couplings, such as light dark matter, axions, and gravitational waves, by pioneering the weak-coupling frontier using cutting-edge quantum sensors and devices. QUP operates under a distinctive organizational model in which researchers from a broad range of institutions, including KEK, converge at QUP to pursue common scientific objectives. QUP's principal research activities are conducted at its central facility, with additional support from satellite laboratories at the University of California at Berkeley (USA), Toyota Central
R&D Lab., and ISAS at the Japanese space agency JAXA. These programs are designed to bridge quantum technologies with particle and fundamental physics, materials science, and biomedical applications through deeply coordinated, inter-institutional collaboration.

Successful candidates are expected to conduct research for the QUP experimental projects with the Principal Investigators. An overview of the QUP research, including the relationship between the projects, can be found at: https://www2.kek.jp/qup/en/research/. We are particularly seeking candidates who are interested in any of the following research topics:

• Experimental

investigation of high-precision spectroscopy and dynamics of muonic atoms and molecules based on AMO physics approaches to fundamental physics, including QED.

• Experimental

implementation of nitrogen-vacancy centers in diamond for novel physics searches such as light dark-matter detection.

• Search for axion and

dark photon dark matter using superconducting qubit arrays, and demonstration of quantum advantage in quantum sensing enabled by quantum entanglement.

• Searches for low-mass

particle dark matter at the new underground Cryolab facility in Kamioka

• Experimental studies

of antimatter gravity using advanced quantum techniques for (anti)hydrogen cooling, manipulations, fountains and interferometry.

• Development of

superconducting cavities for gravitational-wave searches, and exploration of their potential applications to quantum computation via bosonic encoding.

• Research and

development of highly sensitive superconducting sensor systems, including
Transition-Edge Sensors (TESs), and application of ultra-sensitive photon detection technologies to dark matter searches, high-frequency gravitational-wave searches, and fundamental experiments such as tests of
QED.

• Research and

development of high-performance, radiation-hard semiconductor detectors, readout electronics, and system-integration technologies for X-ray, gamma-ray, and particle detection aimed at advancing next-generation gamma-ray imaging, radiation imaging, and spectroscopy technologies for diverse applications in quantum sensing, accelerator experiments, space observations, medicine, life sciences, and related fields.

The position also aims to contribute to the development of new research directions in related fields.

The fellowship is offered on an annual contract basis. Each yearly contract is renewed subject to the fellow's satisfactory progress and the continuing availability of funds. The maximum term of the position is three years.
Salaries are comparable to those at other prestigious institutions. For exceptionally qualified candidates, appointment as Assistant Professor may be offered for the same duration.

The
International Center for Quantum-field Measurement Systems for Studies of the
Universe and Particles (QUP) is a World Premier International Research Center
Initiative (WPI) promoted by the Japanese government and hosted by the High
Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK), the leading national high energy physics laboratory in Japan.

As a WPI research center, QUP is designed to establish an international environment where more than 30% of researchers are non-Japanese. English is the official language of QUP. QUP is an equal opportunity employer that will build a diverse community of scientists. We welcome qualified applicants worldwide, including women, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented minorities, regardless of race, color, religion, gender identity, etc.

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Physics or a related field by the time the appointment begins. The posting shall remain open until the positions are filled. However, for full consideration, we encourage all candidates to apply by December 31,
2026. Applications will only be accepted via AcademicJobsOnline.org. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae (with an email address and citizenship), a statement of research interests, and a list of publications. Applicants should also ensure that at least three letters of reference are submitted on their behalf. They should be uploaded from this page.

Email inquiries regarding the application process may be sent to qup_job_inquiry@ml.post.kek.jp .