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Kenneth Vetter

@kennethvetter

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Postdoctoral physicist specializing in cryogenic detectors, noise-cancellation algorithms, and dark-matter searches.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I seek research roles developing cryogenic detectors and analysis tools in collaborative teams with mentorship opportunities, hands-on R&D, and impact on rare-event searches.

I am a postdoctoral physicist focusing on cryogenic detectors, noise-cancellation algorithms, and searches for beyond-standard-model physics, including axionic dark matter and neutrinoless double-beta decay.

At MIT's Winslow Research Group I develop Python simulation and analysis tools for the DMRadio experiment, benchmark software performance, propose data-taking timelines, and estimate axion discovery sensitivity while supervising undergraduate and graduate researchers.

During my Ph.D. at UC Berkeley I created and integrated denoising algorithms into the CUORE analysis framework, improving energy resolution and thresholds, and performed the final fit of the 0νββ decay rate for the CUORE two tonne-year dataset that led to the strongest limit on the half-life in 130Te.

I combine hands-on cryogenic R&D, data analysis in C++/ROOT and Python, and mentorship and teaching experience; I contribute to collaboration service, publications in top journals, invited talks, and outreach, aiming to advance precision low-temperature instrumentation and rare-event searches.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Postdoctoral Associate

Current

MIT Laboratory for Nuclear Science

Sep 2024 - Present (1 year 2 months)

Developed Python analysis tools and simulated signal pipelines for the DMRadio experiment, benchmarked software performance, estimated axion discovery sensitivity, and supervised students contributing to axion sensitivity analyses.

Python Data Analysis Simulation Sensitivity Analyses Supervision C++Scientific Computing

Current

Team Member

Current

Frosty Drew Observatory and Sky Theatre

Jun 2015 - Present (10 years 5 months)

Engaged public audiences explaining astronomy and physics, operated telescopes during public observing nights, and managed observatory operations and volunteers.

Telescope Event Management Science Communication Volunteer coordination

Graduate Student Researcher

UC Berkeley Department of Physics

Mar 2019 - Aug 2024 (5 years 5 months)

Developed and integrated noise-cancellation and denoising algorithms for CUORE, improving energy resolution and thresholds; performed final fit of the 0νββ decay rate for the CUORE two tonne·year dataset yielding the strongest half-life limit.

C++Python CERN ROOT Data Analysis Signal Processing Statistical Fitting

Undergraduate Research Assistant

Cornell University

Jan 2017 - May 2018 (1 year 4 months)

Designed and fabricated silicon metamaterial anti-reflective coatings, characterized samples via SEM and optical profilometry, and measured optical performance for the HIRMES instrument using FTIR.

SEM Optical Profilometry FTIR

Education

Degrees, certifications, and relevant coursework

University of California, Berkeley

Doctor of Philosophy, Physics

Activities and societies: Graduate research developing noise cancellation algorithms for cryogenic detectors; teaching graduate and undergraduate physics courses; outreach and departmental service.

Completed Ph.D. in Physics with dissertation on noise cancellation algorithms applied to CUORE’s search for neutrinoless double-beta decay.

University of California, Berkeley

Master of Arts, Physics

Activities and societies: Graduate teaching and research assisting in denoising algorithm development and CUORE analysis integration.

Earned an M.A. in Physics supporting graduate research on detector noise mitigation for CUORE.

Cornell University

Bachelor of Arts, Physics

Grade: magna cum laude

Activities and societies: Founded Cornell Audio Engineering Society; undergraduate research in AR coatings and neurobiology lab renovation; teaching assistant roles.

Graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in Physics, conducting undergraduate research in anti-reflective coatings and lab instrumentation.