Menu

CDMS Onboarding

This page includes the onboarding materials for individuals working on the CDMS project. It is important that group members have completed the General Onboarding process before continuing here. This page covers the basics to get started with CDMS. More in depth documentation is found on SLAC onboarding pages. These pages are linked below and require a SLAC/confluence account (See CDMS Accounts). 

IMPORTANT: Only complete the minimal set of necessary tasks to get started on your first project (Setting up accounts, finding resources, maybe others). Try not to waste time doing every single tutorial or reading before getting started. When you come across a task you don’t know how to complete, then you can come back here to learn more.

Table of Contents

Helpful Reading

  • Why care about dark matter, and how to detect it: JWinchell_Thesis.pdf , see sections 1.1 – 1.2.1 and 1.3
  • All types of physics theories behind SuperCDMS: The Physics Behind What We Do , needs confluence access, click the heading to open different sections.
 

Account Setup

If you are doing work on CDMS, you will need to do things like accessing CDMS documentation, data, or code repositories. To do that you need to start by joining CDMS and setting various CDMS accounts. It is recommended that you start by making a Confluence account.

  • How to setup new CDMS accounts
    (For undergraduates and graduate students with TA positions, Research Fraction is an estimation of how much time will be spent on CDMS research. Typically this could be anywhere from 5%-25%)
  • SLAC: How To Get Started (Requires Confluence Account)
 

Simulations

The CDMS Simulations working group focuses on simulating the physical components of the CDMS experiment. To start with CDMS simulations, you must first setup the necessary CDMS Accounts (above).


 

Analysis

The CDMS Analysis working group focuses on analyzing the data produced by the simulations run by the Simulations working group. To start with CDMS analysis, you must first setup the necessary CDMS Accounts (above).

 

Shifts

Last Updated: 12/11/2025

Taking shifts requires a lengthy amount of training and travel arrangements before the start of your shift. For on-site SNOLAB shifts the process of requesting accounts, requesting online training, scheduling in person training, and requesting travel funding should begin at least 2-3 months before the start of your shift. Any questions can be directed to experienced Toback group members, or the SuperCDMS Shift Planner.

On-site @ SNOLAB:

 
 
If this is your first SNOLAB shift, we recommend you complete steps in the following order:
 
      1. Schedule in-person training (UG SSST) as these are only offered at specific dates.
      2. Request Ops Travel Funding
      3. Request HR System Access and Computer Accounts
      4. Request Online EHS Training and Lenel Pass
      5. Arrange for mine gear, lockers, etc.
See the pages linked above for detailed instructions of each step.

 

Off-site Remote: