"Associate Professorship (or Professorship) of Particle Physics"

Department of Physics and St John’s College

The Department of Physics and St John’s College invite applications for an Associate Professor (or Professor) of Particle Physics. The post will be based in the Department of Physics and is associated with a Tutorial Fellowship at St John’s College. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a world-class research programme in collider physics. The position is available from 1 September 2026.

This appointment will strengthen the Department’s internationally recognised programme in Experimental Particle Physics, with a particular focus on high-energy collider physics and advanced detector instrumentation. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct original research in collider-based particle physics and take a leading role in the development of silicon detector technologies for future experiments. A doctorate in experimental particle physics or a closely related field is required.

We particularly welcome applicants whose research complements and enhances the Department’s existing strengths, including involvement in the ATLAS experiment and in future collider initiatives. Candidates should have an outstanding publication record in leading peer-reviewed journals, a proven ability to secure external research funding, and experience of working within large international experimental collaborations. A strong commitment to teaching and mentoring students at both undergraduate and graduate levels is essential.

The appointee will be expected to establish a vibrant and externally funded research programme in experimental collider physics and instrumentation. This will involve the supervision of DPhil students and postdoctoral researchers, as well as active participation in the design, construction, and operation of silicon detectors for current and next-generation particle physics experiments. The Department provides outstanding infrastructure for silicon detector development, including clean rooms, advanced micro-assembly and characterisation facilities, and strong technical support.

The successful candidate will contribute to the full range of teaching in the Department of Physics, including lectures, classes, laboratory supervision, and the supervision of undergraduate and graduate research projects. At St John’s College, the Fellow will be responsible for tutorial teaching in physics, participate in undergraduate admissions, and provide academic and pastoral support to students. As a Fellow and Trustee of the College, the appointee will also take part in college governance and community life.

A full job description, including details of the application process and specific duties associated with the post, is available below or via the ‘apply’ link. The job reference is: 184136 (please quote this in all correspondence). The closing date for applications is 12:00 noon on 27 February 2026. Interviews are expected to be held in April 2026. Applicants should upload a CV, covering letter and statement of research interests as part of their online application. Applicants should also ensure they include the names and contact details (postal and email addresses and telephone numbers) of three referees of international standing in your chosen research area (no more than two of whom should be at the same academic institution). The referees should be asked to submit their references via ppadmin@physics.ox.ac.uk by the closing date. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that letters from referees are received by this date. If you would prefer a referee or referees to be approached only with your specific permission or only if you are being called for interview on the final short list, then you should state this in your application, alongside the details of the relevant referee(s). You should provide the names and full contact details of three referees even if you do not wish to contact them yet.

For shortlisted candidates, the Department will reimburse reasonable travel and caring expenses incurred in attending the interview, in accordance with our policy. For informal enquiries about the post that are not addressed in the job description, please contact: ppadmin@physics.ox.ac.uk

Applications are particularly welcome from women and from candidates of Black or minority ethnic backgrounds, who are under-represented in academic posts at Oxford. The Department of Physics is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment and holds an Athena Swan Gold Award. The University of Oxford is a Living Wage Employer, holds the HR Excellence in Research Award and the Race Equality Charter Bronze Award, and is a Stonewall Diversity Champion.

Pay Scale: ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR (TF-UNIVERSITY)
Salary (£): 48867 - 65121
Vacancy ID: 184136