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Research Associate in Particle Physics on LHCb

UK Research and Innovation

Science and Technology Facilities Council

Job Title: Research Associate in Particle Physics on LHCb

Salary: £31,931-£34,709 (Band D) per annum, dependent upon skills and experience

Hours: Full time 

Contract Type: Two-year fixed, with the possibility of an extension

Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell,

Oxfordshire

Closing Date: Monday 15th November

About Us

The Particle Physics Department (PPD) at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) of Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), is one of the largest Particle Physics groups in the UK. We design, construct and operate some of the most sensitive scientific instruments in the world, collaborating with partners in academia, industry and international laboratories such as CERN. We currently work with the ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, DUNE, Hyper-K, T2K, MICE, Lux-Zeplin, DEAP-3600, CERN RD50, Electron Ion Collider and AION collaborations.

The PPD LHCb group works on the RICH particle identification subdetector, the LHCb Mighty Tracker project and provides the UK Tier 1 computing liaison. PPD works closely with STFC’s Technology Department (TD) on HV-CMOS MAPS sensors. The group is also engaged in physics analysis, primarily measuring the CKM angle gamma and searching for Lepton Flavour and Lepton Number Violation in charm and beauty decays.

About the role

Applications are invited for a post-doctoral Research Associate position in Experimental Particle Physics within the Particle Physics Department (PPD) to work on the LHCb experiment at CERN and the LHCb upgrade 1b/II Mighty Tracker project. The post is for two years.

The LHCb experiment is planning for a series of upgrades over the next decade. The particle identification system will be upgraded and a new HV-CMOS tracking subdetector system, called Mighty Tracker, is proposed to be installed during the upgrades Ib (2026) and II (2030). In preparation for this, the PPD LHCb group is now entering an R&D phase on sensors for particle identification with timing, accelerated computing for computer simulations, and the specification and testing of new sensors for the Mighty Tracker.

The selected candidate will be expected to contribute to the LHCb Upgrade 2 activities that include characterisation and evaluation of SiPMs, evaluation of new RICH detector designs using simulation and optimization of the Mighty Tracker sensors. The candidate will also take part in the operation of the existing LHCb experiment and will have the opportunity to engage in physics analysis, if desired.

Successful applicants will be appointed at Band D of STFC’s staffing hierarchy, depending on your skills, experience and qualifications.

About You

The selected candidate will be expected to contribute to the LHCb Upgrade 2 activities that include characterisation and evaluation of SiPMs, evaluation of viable RICH detector designs using simulation and optimization of the Mighty Tracker sensors. There will also be opportunities to participate in the

operation of the current LHCb detector. You must have a Ph.D., or equivalent, in Particle Physics or a degree or Ph.D. Electronic Engineering and must have a strong interest in Experimental Particle Physics.

You will have experience in working on large particle physics experiments, some knowledge of detector testing and evaluation and some programming experience. You must have the ability to undertake original research and work with a large international collaboration.

How to Apply

Applications should consist of a CV and a covering letter explaining why the candidate is suited to this position. Please provide the names and contact details of three referees when applying.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact: Dr. Antonis Papanestis (Antonis.Papanestis@stfc.ac.uk)

Person Specification

The following criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I), or both (S&I)

Essential:

  • A Ph.D. in Particle Physics or a degree or higher in electronic engineering (S)
  • Experience of data or physics analysis (S&I)
  • Knowledge of C++ or Python (S&I)
  • Experience of working with electronics hardware, particularly silicon or photon sensors (S&I)
  • Ability to undertake original research (S&I) 
  • Ability to work independently and organise appropriate work plans (I) 
  • Ability to work with large groups of people from many different countries (S&I) 
  • Good communications skills (S&I) 
  • Ability and willingness to acquire whatever knowledge is missing (I) 
  • Ability to work on several activities in parallel (I) 
  • Fluent English (S&I)
  • Willingness to travel frequently to CERN and elsewhere (I)
  • Willingness to work at RAL (I)
  • Willingness to work occasionally in a radiation environment (I)
  • Willingness to undertake on call and occasional shift work on LHCb (I)
  • Driving Licence. (S)

Desirable:

  • Experience with detector simulation, especially using Geant4 (S&I)
  • Experience of working with HV-CMOS sensors (S&I)
  • Experience of working with photon detectors (S&I)
  • Experience of DAQ systems (S&I)
  • Experience of working on a large particle or nuclear physics experiment (S&I)
  • Experience of working with large electronics systems. (S&I)

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 

The STFC is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world. 

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake ground-breaking projects in an outstanding diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving progressive advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale. 

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/ 

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/ 

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI) 

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation. 

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation. 

More information can be found at www.ukri.org. 

How we support EDI in the workforce 

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’. 

Disability Confident Employer

As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation. 

How to apply 

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application. 

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us. 

Additional Information

  • Organisation: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) - Particle Physics Department
  • Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
  • External Closing Date: Nov 15, 2021
  • Minimum Salary: Pound Sterling (GBP) 31,931
  • Hours: Full-time
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