PhD position in Digital Calorimetry

6 Apr 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Utrecht University

Research Field

Physics

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Netherlands

Application Deadline

29 Apr 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Not Applicable

Hours Per Week

40.0

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Our group has designed and built the only digital electromagnetic calorimeter, EPICAL-2, and has performed measurements with test beams. The prototype consists of tungsten absorbers and silicon sensors, with in total ≈25 million pixels of 30x30µm2. The energy resolution of this new technology is on par with the current state of the art, but its position resolution and two-shower separation should be orders of magnitude better. Work in this project will enable the use of this potential.

Your job
The analysis of the data of this new detector prototype advances into uncharted territory in the physics of particle detection. While a conventional calorimeter provides a small number of signals (of the order of 5-10 real numbers) per measured high-energy particle, a digital calorimeter such as the EPICAL-2 yields a high-precision 3-dimensional spatial map of tens of thousands of pixel hits. The much higher information content will need completely new approaches for the efficient reconstruction of measurements. You will be a key person in understanding the working principle of the new technology, obtaining world-wide unique results on detector physics and developing the new algorithms. Your work will also include using a detailed Monte-Carlo simulation of the detector.

You will continuously work on the analysis together with a relatively small international group of researchers. Depending on the outcome of the analysis, you may set up another measurement at a test beam (e.g., at the CERN laboratory) with the prototype, which we have at hand. In this case, you will make yourselves familiar with modern FPGA technology. Furthermore, your work will contribute to the development process of such calorimeters in the wider context, via the CERN ALICE FoCal collaboration and the international Detector R&D collaboration on calorimeters (DRD6).

You will contribute to scientific publications on this project and will have the opportunity to present your results at international workshops and conferences. The scientific work in this project will be the topic of your PhD thesis at Utrecht University. The PhD will be done in the context of the Graduate School for Natural Sciences at Utrecht University and of the Dutch National Research School in Particle Physics. Besides your research work, you will have duties as teaching assistant in university courses in the physics department for a small fraction of your time.

Requirements
Specific Requirements

We are looking for you, if you have a Master’s degree in physics (or equivalent) and good knowledge of the English language and bring several or all of the following capabilities:

• basic knowledge of experimental particle physics;
• programming skills in C++ (experience with the CERN ROOT framework is a valuable asset);
• good communication skills and a collaborative attitude;
• genuine scientific curiosity.

Additional Information
Benefits

We offer:

• a position for four years;
• a working week of 40 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,770 and €3,539 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU);
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development , leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities , as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University .

Selection process

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.

If you are enthusiastic about this position, just apply via the 'apply now' button! Please enclose:

• your letter of motivation;
• your curriculum vitae;
• the names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of at least two referees.

If this specific opportunity isn’t for you, but you know someone else who may be interested, please forward this vacancy to them.

Additional comments

For more information, please contact Professor T. Peitzmann at [email protected] .

Do you have a question about the application procedure? Please send an email to [email protected] .

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.

Website for additional job details

https://www.academictransfer.com/339922/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Universiteit Utrecht

Country

Netherlands

City

Utrecht

Postal Code

3584CC

Street

Princetonplein 1

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://www.academictransfer.com/en/339922/phd-position-in-digital-calorimetry/…

Contact

City

Utrecht

Website

http://www.uu.nl/

Street

Domplein 29

Postal Code

3512 JE

STATUS: EXPIRED