Postdoc position in ALICE and Detector R&D for Experimental Particle Physics

The University of Amsterdam is a partner in Nikhef, the Dutch National Institute for Subatomic

Physics. The ALICE and Detector Research and Development (R&D) Groups at Nikhef are actively

involved in the design and characterization of pixel sensors and readout chips. One focus is on

4D tracking and fast timing detectors for future detector upgrades at the Large Hadron Collider at

CERN in Geneva and beyond. Combining measurements in space with time will enable

experiments to cope with the extreme environment of the high luminosity LHC where they will

see unprecedented hit rates and levels of radiation.

Our group is looking for a postdoc who will join us in the ALICE experiment in R&D for fast timing

detectors for the ALICE upgrades and beyond. You will work with monolithic active pixel sensors

(MAPS) with the ALICE and detector R&D groups, where you will characterize various prototypes

including the newest monolithic stitched sensor with timing, a version of the large area chip

designed for the ALICE inner tracking system upgrade. Your work will also include simulations

and performance studies of future detectors.

What are you going to do?

• You will work with the ALICE and detector R&D groups at Nikhef. You will be involved in the daily supervision of PhD students working on characterization and simulation of monolithic active pixel sensors within the ALICE collaboration;
• You will work on the ALICE inner tracking system upgrade and be part of the sensor characterization and qualification group. You will regularly report in that group andcoordinate closely with other members of the group;
• You will work with the newest prototypes for the ALICE detector upgrade and play a leading role in the performance studies of among other things the time resolution at the Nikhef laboratory. This includes the design and construction of experimental setups;
• You will organize and participate in measurements at ionized particle beams;
• You will participate in simulations and performance studies for future detectors. This includes the investigation of the impact of inclusion of timing on searches for new physics with the future ALICE detector.
• If you desire, you will have the opportunity to contribute to teaching at the University of Amsterdam.

The position will be based at Nikhef in Amsterdam, with the possibility for occasional stays at CERN.

Tasks and responsibilities:

• Conducting research in detector development and simulation, resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals;
• Representing the ALICE experiment and our group at workshops, conferences, research schools, etc.;
• Contributing to outreach activities;
• Supervising bachelor- and master-students and co-supervising PhD students;
• Supporting the group in pursuing external funding for research.

Your profile

You are enthusiastic about experimental particle physics and a good team worker. You like

working with detectors, you are sharp in recognizing issues and potential problems, and you are

creative in solving puzzles and finding solutions. You like to explore and work at the scientific

frontier. You are open to collaboration with people of different backgrounds.

Your experience and profile:

• You have or will soon obtain a PhD in physics or a related discipline;
• Committed researcher, demonstrated by publications in international refereed academic journals and conference contributions;
• Interest in detector research and development;
• Familiar with professional computing in particle physics;
• Professional command of English.

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for an initial period of 1 year. Based on performance the contract can be extended to a total of two years, or longer if funding is

available.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,226 to € 5,090 (scale 10).This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here .

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute of Physics is situated in a new, purpose-built laboratory and teaching space in the

building of the Faculty of Science in the Science Park Amsterdam. This location also plays host to

numerous national research institutes such as AMOLF (nanophotonics, biomolecular systems,

photovoltaics), Nikhef (Subatomic Physics) and CWI (mathematics and Computer Science), as well

as ARCNL (Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography, which combines the leading Dutch

tech firm ASML with both Amsterdam universities and AMOLF). The Institute of Physics is a

partner in the GRAPPA (Gravitation and Astroparticle Physics Amsterdam) center-of-excellence.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Nikhef is the national institute for subatomic physics in The Netherlands. At Nikhef, approximately

190 physicists and 80 technical staff members work together in an open and international

scientific environment. Together, they perform theoretical and experimental research in the fields

of particle and astroparticle physics. The Nikhef institute is a collaboration between six major

Dutch universities and the Dutch Foundation for Scientific Research (NWO).

Nikhef participates in large research collaborations, including the ATLAS, LHCb and ALICE

experiments at CERN, the KM3NeT neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean, the VIRGO

interferometer in Pisa, the Xenon1T dark matter experiment in Gran Sasso, the Pierre Auger

cosmic ray observatory in Argentina and the eEDM research programme in Groningen. Nikhef

also hosts a group in theoretical physics, and groups for Physics Data Processing and detector

R&D, excellent electronic- and mechanical engineering groups, all with good connections to the

experimental programs.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Dr Jory Sonneveld, [email protected]

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the Nikhef link (please see application instructions in bold below). We accept applications until and including 05 April 2024. Interviews will be planned in April and May 2024.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file ):

• A detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
• A letter of motivation;
• A list of publications;
• the names and email addresses of at least three references who can provide letters of recommendation.

APPLICATIONS ONLY VIA NIKHEF WEBSITE USING THIS LINK

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.
(for details: national knowledge security guidelines )

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please