Fixed Term Research Officer

Ref: AC00470
Post doctoral position in laser-cooling and experimental antihydrogen physics

Salary : £31,331 to £36,298 per annum (pro-rata if part time) together with USS Pension benefits, if required.

The Swansea Antihydrogen team has a vacancy for a Research Officer to work on the ALPHA experiment at CERN in which the Swansea group is a leading participant. The vacancy is to be filled as soon as possible. The group consists of four permanent staff, 2 post docs and a varying number of Ph.D. students.

The group is responsible for the positron accumulator and an on-going upgrade to the ALPHA experiment that aims towards laser spectroscopy of trapped antihydrogen atoms. The ALPHA and Swansea teams achieved world-wide acclaim when recently announcing the successful observation of resonant quantum transitions in antihydrogen trapped in a specially constructed magnetic trap. The next generation of experiments will perform the first spectroscopy of the trapped anti-atoms and will thus get the first detailed glimpses the internal structure of the anti-atoms. This will lead towards the first direct spectroscopic comparison of matter and antimatter atoms.

The successful candidate will work at CERN with both the Swansea team and the ALPHA collaboration on preparing the next generation of antihydrogen experiments. The candidate will be responsible for the implementation of a novel scheme to indirectly cool positrons using laser-cooled ions. Furthermore the candidate will do mechanical and electronic design as well as partake in the commissioning of the new alpha trapping apparatus for neutral and charged particles and the laser-spectroscopy of antihydrogen. This all takes place in an exciting multi-disciplinary experiment in an international context, where there is ample freedom to have a huge impact on the future of antihydrogen physics.

We require the successful candidate to have a Ph.D. in experimental physics. Experience with laser-cooling, trapped charged particles, positrons, cryogenics, ultra-high vacuum and/or Labview will be appreciated.

The position will be based fully at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland - an overseas allowance to compensate for the increased cost of living and working at CERN will be provided.

For informal inquiries contact Dr. Niels Madsen (N.Madsen@swansea.ac.uk).

This post will close at midnight Thursday 30th May 2013. Applicants will find full job details together with the online application link by clicking the 'Apply' button below.

We are an equal opportunity employer aiming for diversity in our workforce. Swansea University is a registered charity. No. 1138342.