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Research Associate in Particle Physics on LHCb

STFC - The Science and Technology Facilities Council - Particle Physics Department

Benefits: 30 days holiday + 8 bank holidays + 2.5 privilege days + exceptional pension + excellent work life balance 

Contract Type: 2 year fixed term contract

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

Come and do the kind of science that got you into physics in the first place. Work with ground-breaking tech and world-leading scientists and engineers. Discover the impact you can make when you're equipped, encouraged and inspired to perform to your very best.

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 the development of new sensor technologies and mechanical structures. 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 RICH Upgrade II project. The post is for two-years.

The LHCb experiment is planning for a series of upgrades over the next decade. The RICH system, part of particle identification, will be upgraded during LS4 (2032). In preparation for this, the PPD LHCb group is now entering an R&D phase on sensors for particle identification with timing and accelerated computing for computer simulations.

The selected candidate will be expected to contribute to the LHCb Upgrade 2 activities that include characterisation and evaluation of SiPMs and evaluation of new RICH detector designs using simulation. 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.

About you

You must have a Ph.D., or equivalent, in Particle Physics or in 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.

Essential:

  • A Ph.D. in Particle Physics or 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 (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 and ability to travel frequently to CERN (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 (I)

Desirable:

  • Experience with detector simulation, especially using Geant4 (S&I)
  • Experience of working with photon detectors (S&I)
  • Experience of DAQ systems and test-beams (S&I)
  • Experience of working on a large particle or nuclear physics experiment (S&I)
  • Experience of working with complex electronics systems (S&I)

How to apply

Please supply the names and addresses of three referees when applying. For an informal discussion about this role please contact: Dr. Antonis Papanestis (Antonis.Papanestis@stfc.ac.uk)

We are offering a 2 year fixed term contract with a whole host of benefits including:

  • 30 days holiday (in addition to 10.5 bank holidays and privilege days).
  • Flexible working hours.
  • An excellent defined pension scheme.
  • Employee shopping/travel discounts.
  • Excellent learning and development opportunities.
  • Visa Sponsorship for candidates applying outside of the UK.

We are committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce. We are invested in creating an environment that is welcoming and supportive of all. In this regard, we encourage applications from under-represented groups.

We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and business-support team explore the unknown across every field you could think of. And they turn what they find into work that changes the world around us.

What could you achieve with the world-leading facilities and experts of one of Europe's largest research organisations by your side? Join us and discover what's possible.

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) 

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.

We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking.  And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

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.  

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.  For more details, visit Benefits of working for UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.

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 (via the ‘Apply’ button above). 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. 

Location: Didcot, Oxfordshire
Salary: £39,375 to £43,313 per annum. Salary Band D
Hours: Full Time
Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract
Placed On: 21st August 2024
Closes: 15th September 2024
Job Ref: 240000RF
   
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