Academic ConnectResearch Associate in Particle Physics
Job number
NAT01946
Faculties
Faculty of Natural Sciences
Departments
Department of Physics
Salary or Salary range
£48,056 - £56,345 per annum
Location/campus
South Kensington Campus - Hybrid
Contract type work pattern
Full time - Fixed term
Posting End Date
21 May 2025
About the role
The Particle Physics Community at Imperial invites applications for a Research Associate to contribute to the CMS experiment.
What you would be doing
You will contribute primarily to ongoing activities related to the future upgrade of the CMS experiment. In particular, you will take a leading role in the development of the upgraded Tracker backend and Level-1 Trigger systems. Your focus will be algorithm development, including exploitation of machine learning based algorithms related to tracking and vertex finding. This will include simulations as well as integration of algorithms into electronics hardware and testing in facilities at CERN.
These tasks will involve working with a team applying multidisciplinary skills in the general area of hardware, software, computing and analysis. You will engage in the research activities of the Community by working together with postgraduate students, other research associates and academics. You will also work closely with other members of the CMS UK and international community. You also help to produce independent and original research within the Particle Physics Community, submit publications to conferences and refereed journals, and help with the administration of the Community.
What we are looking for
You will hold a PhD* in experimental particle physics or have an equivalent level of professional qualifications and experience.
You must have the following essential criteria:
An understanding of detector instrumentation and/or operations in a particle physics environment
Experience of data analysis, algorithms, and machine learning techniques in particle physics
Experience of systems testing and problem solving in a particle physics environment
Good knowledge and experience of programming in C++ and Python
Experience in taking initiative and/or developing own ideas independently
A creative approach to problem-solving with a high level of analytic ability
Experience in leadership or evidence of future leadership potential
A strong track record with clearly defined individual contributions
A proven ability to communicate with people at all levels
Experience of working in an international collaborative environment
In addition, it would be desirable if you had:
Experience with hardware, particularly operating test stands and/or commissioning electronics systems
Experience of writing and testing VHDL code
Experience with CI/CD and containerised software
What we can offer you
The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to continue science for humanity.
Sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 39 days off a year and generous pension schemes).
Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various staff networks and resources to support your personal and professional wellbeing.
At Imperial, we highly value our postdocs and are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. The Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI) serves as a central hub, offering a wide range of resources, training, and guidance. Through ECRI, you'll benefit from tailored development opportunities—including mentoring, skills workshops, and networking events—all designed to support your growth and long-term career success.
Further information
This position is available immediately for up to 2 years in the first instance with possibility of extension.
You will be based in London but will require regular travel to CERN in Geneva (or vice-versa). Other UK and international travel is likely to be required.
*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £43,003 - £46,297 per annum.
The Particle Physics Community at Imperial maintains a strong international profile through its strategic leadership in the design, construction, and scientific exploitation of leading particle physics experiments. Our active experimental research programme spans a broad range of initiatives, including the T2K, Super-Kamiokande and future Hyper-Kamiokande experiments in Japan; the short baseline neutrino programme at Fermilab, the future neutrino oscillation experiment DUNE at Fermilab and SURF in the USA; the search for charged lepton flavour violation with COMET in Japan; the CMS and LHCb experiments at the LHC; the search for dark matter with the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment in the USA and the future XLZD experiment; the Atom Interferometer Observatory and Network (AION) project in the UK and the USA; Antimatter spectroscopy, MICE, and SHiP activities. We actively contribute to the development of future experiments and impact through the application of particle physics technologies. There are also significant accelerator, phenomenology and Grid computing programmes. As hosts to two Imperial College Centres of Excellence-namely, the Centre for Clinical Application of Particles and the Centre for High-Throughout Digital Electronics and Machine Learning - we demonstrate a strong commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration.
Visit our webpages for more information about the Department of Physics and the Particle Physics Community.
For further information about the position contact:
Prof. Alex Tapper – a.tapper@imperial.ac.uk
Dr. Mark Pesaresi – mark.pesaresi01@imperial.ac.uk
For queries regarding the application process contact:
Paula Brown, Section Administrator – paula.brown@imperial.ac.uk
The Department of Physics is proud to be an IoP JUNO Practitioner and to hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award, recognising our ongoing commitment to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and high-achieving community. We strive to create a welcoming environment for everyone and have introduced a range of initiatives to encourage collaboration, inclusivity, and professional development.
We value the strength that comes from diverse perspectives and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from individuals who identify as female and those who consider themselves underrepresented in physics.
Available documents
Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.
download: Research Associate in Particle Physics Job Description NAT01946.pdf
download: Employee Benefits Booklet.pdf
