Research Fellow on the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Dark Matter Experiment

About us

UCL is one of the world's top universities based in the heart of London. It is a modern, outward-looking institution. UCL's staff and former students have included 32 Nobel prize winners. It is a truly international community: more than one-third of our student body – more than 35,000 strong – come from 150 countries and nearly one-third of staff are from outside the UK.

The UCL HEP group consists of around 80 staff and students and provides an exciting and supportive research environment with involvement in direct dark matter searches, particle astrophysics, particle phenomenology, neutrino experiments, accelerator R&D and data intensive science via our Centre for Doctoral Training.

About the role

The UCL High Energy Physics Group has an immediate opening for an outstanding PhD
particle or astroparticle physicist to work on the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Dark Matter Search
Experiment.

The role would see the successful candidate take a leading role in the analysis of science data from LZ, its operations and experiment coordination. They would also undertake R&D and studies towards the next generation, XLZD experiment.

This position is funded for 1 year in the first instance with a further year's extension to contract subject to more funding being secured.

Interviews will be held on Friday 18th July 2025.

Candidates will need to upload a CV (including a list of publications), cover letter and a statement of research interests and plans (3 pages maximum). Applicants should arrange for two letters of reference to be emailed to PI’s name by the application deadline.

About you

The successful applicant will have a PhD in particle or astroparticle physics.

Candidates should have excellent written and verbal communication, strong analytical skills and an ability to work independently and think analytically. They should be willing to work in an international collaboration with a diverse group of people, assuming responsibility for delivery of their own and group milestones.

Knowledge of dark matter and rare-event search experiments is desirable, particularly exposure to multivariate analysis and statistical inference techniques applied to rare-physics searches.

Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be a Research Assistant Grade 6B (salary £38,607 - £41,255 per annum, inclusive of London Allowance) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis.

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer great benefits. Please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/rewards-and-benefits to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce or in the Physics & Astronomy department. These include people from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and women.

You can read more about our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion here: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/equality-diversity-inclusion/

Customer advert reference: B04-06137

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