Welcome to the SLAM! Community, a hub for physics with Short-Lived Atoms and Molecules

We want to bring together a community of scientists and engineers working across a wide range of fields, including AMO physics, nuclear physics, radiochemistry, physical chemistry, radioactive beams, astrophysics, precision measurement, and more, to realize the opportunities offered by atoms and molecules containing short-lived, radioactive nuclei.

 Community Resources

This page is a work in progress.  Please email Nick Hutzler if you want to add or post something.


News


14 April 2023

We had great SLAM representation at the 2023 APS April Meeting GPMFC Workshop on Precision Measurements in the US Long-Range Plan for Nuclear Physics.

4 February 2023

Whitepaper "Opportunities for Fundamental Physics Research with Radioactive Molecules" has been posted to the arXiv.


Upcoming/Ongoing Events


Institute for Nuclear Theory Program: Fundamental Physics with Radioactive Molecules

The Institute for Nuclear Theory (INT) is putting together a month-long program to connect theorists and experimentalists working on (or adjacent to) fundamental physics with radioactive molecules.


Mini-Symposium on Heavy Element Spectroscopy at ISMS 2024

Molecules that include heavy elements exhibit unique physical and chemical properties that are often associated with the presence of partially filled f and d orbitals. Their complex electronic structures are being evaluated for applications such as spintronics and the emerging quantum sciences. Heavy element molecules are also being used for precision spectroscopy measurements that probe physics beyond the Standard Model. This symposium will focus on spectroscopic and theoretical studies of heavy element containing molecules, as well as heavy atomic elements.


Contacts


There will soon be an FRIB User's Group for precision measurements with radioactive isotopes.  Stay tuned for details about how to join.


Opportunities


FRIB Visiting Scholar Program for Experimental Science 2024

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) invites applications for the FRIB Visiting Scholar Program for Experimental Science 2024. The program was started to encourage and help junior researchers to establish a research program at FRIB. The award supports short-term stays at FRIB for junior/non-tenured faculty or staff members. It consists of a stipend of $5,000 intended for travel and local expenses. Each year up to two awards will be made.

For more information on the award, including a list of past winners, please see this webpage: https://frib.msu.edu/users/scholars/index.html


Job Postings


Tenure Track Position in Fundamental Physics at Harvard

The Department of Physics at Harvard University seeks to appoint a tenure-track professor in experimental physics. The areas of interest include: experimental particle or fundamental precision physics, broadly interpreted. The appointment is expected to begin on July 1, 2024. The tenure-track professor will be responsible for teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Click here to view the full posting.


Position Announcement for Rare Isotope Scientists at the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams

The Facility for Rare Isotope Beams Laboratory is searching for PhD-level experimental nuclear scientists to fill three open permanent positions as rare isotope scientists. FRIB offers scientific users access to over 4,000 different rare isotope beams at low to high energy.  The rare isotope scientist position supports operation and upgrade of the ARIS fragment separator used to supply those beams. We are looking for individuals with a diverse background, as there is the opportunity in this position to apply a wide range of experimental techniques from heavy ion detectors to application of machine learning techniques. In addition to ARIS operation, the successful applicant is encouraged to pursue leading research in rare isotope science or related scientific fields.

Details and instructions for how to apply can be found at careers@msu (https://careers.msu.edu/en-us/job/514709/scientist-fribnsclcontinuing)


Position Announce for Postdoctoral Research Associate-Fixed Term in Fundamental Symmetries at FRIB

The Research Associate for the QuEST Project will make a significant contribution to the establishment of quantum-enhanced tests of fundamental symmetries at FRIB.  Major Duties and Responsibilities include:

Click here to learn more and to apply


Postdoctoral Appointee - Radium EDM @ ANL

The Physics Division at Argonne National Laboratory invites interested applicants to apply for a postdoctoral position to conduct experimental Fundamental Symmetries research at the intersection of nuclear and atomic, molecular, and optical (AMO) physics. The successful candidate will play a significant role in the experimental search for the permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) of the radium-225 atom.  The focus of this position is to implement improvements to the experimental systems for laser cooling, trapping, and detection of radium atoms and to perform an improved measurement of the EDM of radium-225. 

Click here to learn more


Position Announcement: Two tenure-track Faculty Positions in Physics at the U.S. Naval Academy

Applications are being sought for two tenure-track faculty positions in physics at the U.S. Naval Academy starting as early as Summer 2024. Candidates of all academic ranks will be considered but by policy will be hired at the rank of Assistant Professor. Candidates with research specialties in astrophysics or nuclear physics are a higher priority in this year’s search, nevertheless we encourage all interested candidates to apply. Successful candidates will demonstrate the potential for teaching a variety of physics courses including required courses for physics majors at the upper level. We are committed to hiring faculty who embrace the diverse nature of our student body, comprising exceptional women and men from every congressional district in the United States. Areas of research in our department include acoustics, astrophysics, computational physics, nuclear physics, optics, and condensed matter. 


Review of applications will begin on October 1 and will continue until the position is filled. Visit https://www.usna.edu/HRO/jobinfo/Tenure-track-Physics-AY24.php for more information, including how to apply. The U. S. Naval Academy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 


Postdoctoral Opportunity in Optically‐pumped Atomic Magnetometers

A postdoctoral researcher position is immediately available in the Magnetic Resonance Laboratory at George Mason University. The laboratory studies quantum sensors used to detect magnetic fields in the radio‐frequency range. The research involves understanding and exploiting spin dynamics, to push atomic magnetometers to their quantum noise limits, while at the same time exploring new ways to use, as well as compactify, these ultra‐sensitive sensors. The successful candidate will design and implement atomic‐ magnetometer arrays to measure magnetic field tensors in an open environment. Spatial mapping of fields allows for localization of signal sources. Sensor development will be done in collaboration with Twinleaf. Individuals from minoritized and/or underrepresented populations are particularly encouraged to apply.

Click here to view details of the announcement.


Previous Events


2021 Workshop: New Opportunities for Fundamental Physics Research with Radioactive Molecules (Virtual Meeting).

2022 DAMOP Satellite Meeting.  You may view a recording and the slides of the presentation.

Fundamental Symmetries Workshop @ FRIB (November 2022)

Low Energy Community Meeting @ FRIB, Aug 9-11

New Postings


Please email Nick Hutzler if you want to add or post something