Research Associate

Location: Strand Campus

Contact details: Dr Jim Dobson. jim.dobson@kcl.ac.uk

A vacancy for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to work on a new R&D activity  developing and testing quantum sensor readout of Xe-based dark matter detectors has arisen at the Experimental Particle and Astroparticle Physics (EPAP) Group, Department of Physics, King's College London. 

We will welcome the successful candidate into the diverse Experimental Particle and Astroparticle Physics (EPAP) Group, to undertake research investigations in collaboration with the members of the EPAP group, and with close links to the Biological Physics and Soft Matter group at King’s as well as with project partners at the University of Glasgow. We especially encourage applications from females, minority ethnic candidates and other groups who are under-represented in physics.

The successful candidate will be supported to make significant contributions to a new R&D activity in the EPAP group, developing and testing the use of Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector (SNSPD) quantum sensors as a new readout device for Xe-based scintillation detectors, constructing a test bench to measure device performance and performing analysis and interpretation of data collected on the test bench. In role, the successful candidate will receive training in laboratory and clean-room safety and practises and be supported to develop their expertise in the relevant hardware techniques.

Applicants should have, or be about to gain, a PhD in experimental particle physics or detector physics (HEP or nuclear), and have substantial experience of active participation in a particle physics, or particle astrophysics experiment, either running or at the R&D, design or construction phase. We are also interested in applications from candidates with expertise outside of these areas but with experience in relevant techniques such as VUV spectroscopy and single photon counting techniques. Hardware skills and good knowledge of data analysis in C++ or python are highly desirable. The post will be located at Kings College London at the Strand Campus, but will require periods of time to be spent at the University of Glasgow as project partners for this R&D work, as well as travel for conferences and workshops to present results.

This post will be offered on an  a fixed-term contract until 31/10/2026. This is a full time post - 100% full time equivalent. Full details of the key responsibilities of the post and job criteria can be found at the link below, as well as contact details for the R&D lead Dr Jim Dobson if you have any questions.

This post will be offered on  a fixed-term contract until 31st October 2026. 

This is a full time post - 100% full time equivalent

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