Particle Physics, Denys Wilkinson Building, Keble Road, Oxford, OX1 3RH.

Grade 7: £33,309 - £40,927 pa

Applications are invited for two Postdoctoral Research Assistants in Particle Physics.

 

The posts are available initially for a fixed-term duration until 3rd October 2025, with a possibility of renewal.

 

The Accelerator Neutrino Group at the University of Oxford seeks two committed and enthusiastic postdoctoral researchers to take leading roles in researching neutrinos with the MicroBooNE and DUNE collaborations. MicroBooNE is a pioneer in the liquid argon detector neutrino programme and provides opportunities to make – in many cases the first-ever – high-statistics measurements of neutrino interactions on argon. These measurements will be crucial to reducing uncertainties for future liquid-argon neutrino experiments including DUNE, the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, a future flagship long-baseline oscillation experiment. DUNE aims to measure neutrino oscillations with unprecedented precision, including the extent to which CP violation occurs in the oscillation of light neutrinos. Both experiments are hosted at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory.

 

The two successful candidates will take a leading role in physics analyses on MicroBooNE and DUNE. Both post-holders will have the opportunity to work on one or both experiments. One post-holder will focus on new measurements of neutrino interactions on argon with the MicroBooNE detector, exploiting the large number of neutrino interactions already collected by the detector since 2015. The other will focus on DUNE’s oscillation analysis development, particularly in the incorporation of data from the ND-GAr detector (consisting of a high-pressure gaseous-argon TPC surrounded by an electromagnetic calorimeter). One or more of the post-holders will also contribute to the DUNE near detector data acquisitions (DAQ) design, including supporting a test DAQ system for prototype detectors.

 

Applicants should hold, or be close to completion of, a PhD/DPhil in experimental particle physics or a related field, and ideally a strong background in data analysis.

 

Previous experience in measuring neutrino cross sections or oscillations will be an advantage, but is not required. Previous experience with particle physics DAQ will also be an advantage for at least one of the positions.

 

Candidates are expected to be confident programming in C++ and demonstrate excellent communication skills. Candidates should be self-motivated, able to motivate and guide the work of others, able to work collaboratively as part of a diverse team, and should demonstrate a willingness to learn new skills.

 

The post-holders will have the opportunity to teach.

 

Informal enquiries about this post may be made to Kirsty Duffy: kirsty.duffy@physics.ox.ac.uk.

 

Only applications received promptly by 12:00 noon UK time on 01 February 2022 can be considered. Please read the “Person Specification and Job Description” before preparing your application. You will be required to upload a Curriculum Vita, a description of research experience and interests and the names and addresses of three referees as part of your online application. In addition you should arrange for the three letters of reference to be sent to sue.geddes@physics.ox.ac.uk by the closing date. Applications are acknowledged but not reference letters.