[Emeriti-faculty] position request

[Alexander Vilenkin <vilenkin cosmos phy tufts edu>]

Hi everybody,

We suggest that the Department requests a position in high energy theory, with 
a preference to candidates doing research at the interface with cosmology.  We 
believe that both high energy experiment and cosmology groups would benefit 
from such a hire, as well as the high energy theory group (which at present 
includes only Gary).  There is certainly a potential for some synergy, with 
increased interaction between the groups.

Looking ahead, the HEP/cosmology interface is likely to remain an exciting 
field, with a possibility of important breakthroughs.  We are yet to uncover 
the nature of dark matter and the origin of the matter-antimatter 
asymmetry of the universe.  Moreover, particle physics beyond 
the Standard Model deals with energies which may never be reached in 
accelerators, so cosmological tests are becoming increasingly important.

The Department has already made a request for a HEP/cosmology position last 
year (please see the attachment).  We suggest that the same request be 
submitted this year as our top priority.

Krzysztof Sliwa,  Alex Vilenkin

Department of Physics and Astronomy Faculty Position Request for 2011-2012


1. Position description

The Department of Physics and Astronomy requests the creation of a tenure
track assistant professor position in the field of phenomenological high
energy theory, preferably with connections to cosmology. To qualify for 
this
position, a candidate must have a Ph.D. degree in physics and postdoctoral
experience in high energy theory. Some experience in research relating 
to the interface between high energy physics and cosmology is strongly 
preferred. After joining the department, the candidate will be
expected to obtain external research funding, to teach undergraduate 
and graduate courses on all levels, and to supervise graduate
student Ph.D. thesis research.


2. Rationale

High energy phenomenology theory deals with building theoretical models and
testing them with experimental or observational data. It has been a
remarkably successful enterprise in recent years. A "Standard Model"
has been developed which fits very well with present data on particle
types and their interactions. In addition, theoretical cosmology has
made dramatic advances using insights from high energy physics. An
example is the inflationary model, which has correctly predicted the
primordial spectrum of density perturbations as measured by the WMAP 
satellite. However, it is also clear that the current understanding is
incomplete, and new discoveries are likely. The existence of "dark
matter", the 25% of the universe's mass in unseen particles, and the
recent cosmic acceleration ("dark energy") are unexplained phenomena.
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN  is just beginning to probe
new and higher energies. The resulting data may point to physics
beyond the Standard Model, and possibly reveal new exotic effects,
such as small black holes or extra dimensions. 

On one level, Tufts is well positioned to participate in this exciting
endeavor. The two strongest research groups in the department are
those in experimental high energy physics (Profs. Beauchemin,
Gallagher, Mann, Napier, Oliver, and Sliwa) and in theoretical
cosmology (Profs. Blanco-Pillado, Ford, and Vilenkin). The
experimental high energy physics group is involved with both neutrino
experiments and work at the LHC. The theoretical cosmology group has
been very active in topics such as inflation and topological defects,
which lie at the boundary between cosmology and particle physics.

However, on another level, there is a significant gap. The Tufts high
energy theory group has long consisted on only one person, Prof. Gary
Goldstein. Although he remains very active, a one-person group is not
adequate to fully exploit the opportunities presented by the data
coming from accelerator experiments and cosmological observations. This
deficiency has long been recognized. Both the department's long range
plan of January 2007, and the report of the external visiting committee
of April 2007, called for the hiring of an additional high energy
theorist with links to cosmology. The position currently being
requested would fulfill these recommendations, and position the
department to participate more fully in cutting edge high energy and
cosmological research.
  

3. Plan for attracting minority and women applicants

The department is strongly committed to increasing the diversity of its
faculty. We would work with the Tufts Affirmative Action Office to
advertise the position widely, and use use informal contact to solicit 
applications from underrepresented groups.  


4. Resource needs

The primary needs of a theorist are a salary, office space, and some
computer equipment. We anticipate the need for a modest startup
package with funding for computer equipment and some student and/or
summer salary support.