Phd fellowship in Experimental Particle Physics, Niels Bohr Institute

PhD Project in High-Energy Heavy-ion physics (ALICE Experiment)

The experimental particle physics section at the Niels Bohr Institute invites applicants for a Ph.D. fellowship in the High-Energy Heavy-Ion Group. The project is part of the research project “Unravel the mystery within the first microsecond of the little Big Bang” which is financed by Danmarks Frie Forskningsfonds (DFF, Independent Research Fund Denmark) Sapere Aude grant.

The start date is (expected to be) 1 September 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project
With the newly received DFF grant, the research group will develop a novel methodology using a new approach, a multi-particle cumulants technique. This will give unique insights into the initial geometric conditions, shape, size, and their correlations and fluctuations. To achieve this, we will measure various collision systems during the LHC Run 3. These pioneering measurements, and the resulting new analyses, will decisively advance our understanding of those crucial initial conditions, the platform upon which the analysis of the collision rests. The results of this DFF grant will give direct access into the unknown initial conditions and unravel the mystery of the first microsecond of the Big Bang.

Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of heavy-ion physics or nuclear physics. The outstanding candidate, with demonstrated initiative and accomplishments, should strengthen and further develop the group’s activities within the study and analysis of flow and correlation in large and small collision systems at the LHC.

Our group and research- and what do we offer?
The group’s current research is centered around the ALICE experiment at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN. In the past ten years, the group led a significant amount of publications in ALICE, including the first experimental study to probe the time evolution of the specific viscosity of Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP) and the observation of the tiniest droplet of QGP in small collision system at the LHC.

The group is a part of Niels Bohr Institute, Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. We are located in Copenhagen.

We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories at NBI and CERN.

Principal supervisor is Dr. You Zhou, Associate Professor, Niels Bohr Institute, [email protected]  and [email protected] , Direct Phone: (+45) 93 56 36 56.

The PhD programme
Depending of your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:

Option A: A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Option B: An up to five year full-time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelors´s degree.

********************************************************************************

Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

The terms of employment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme

If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database    

Terms of the integrated programme
To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the Faculty’s master programmes in experimental particle physics.

Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.

The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years, and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd   “Study Structures”.

Until the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of at least 150 working hours per year.
A PhD grant portion is currently (2023) DKK 6,589 beore tax.

When you have obtainedtheMSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)
• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in heavy-ion physics
• Good language skills

***************************************************************************

Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include: 

Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 31 March 2024 23:59 GMT +2.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held during May 2024.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: www.science.ku.dk/phd/

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position. 

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.