Research Fellow

University of Birmingham - School of Physics and Astronomy

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822

Contract Type: Fixed Term contract up to September 2027

Background

The Birmingham Particle Physics group has a vacancy for a Research Fellow working on detector developments to contribute to future experiments dedicated to kaon physics. Specifically, the successful applicant will work on development of particle identification and tracking detectors, including simulation and design aspects, and on research and development of photon detectors in the context of the DRD4 collaboration. The post holder will be based in Birmingham and must be willing to travel and spend periods at CERN and J-PARC Laboratories.

The Particle Physics group currently has 12 academic staff, 17 post-doctoral researchers and engineers, 3 support staff and 19 research students. Beyond kaon physics, our present activities include ATLAS and LHCb experiments at the LHC, the future Brookhaven Electron Ion Collider, and non-accelerator interests in direct Dark Matter searches. We operate substantial laboratory space, including a 200 m2 set of clean room facilities, and we maintain a Tier 2 site as part of the UK contribution to LHC world-wide distributed computing.

Role Summary

• Work within Particle Physics research grants and projects and contribute to writing bids
• Work within and support the activities of the Elementary Particle Physics Group related to kaon physics.
• Work with local, national and international collaborators to successfully deliver high quality research outcomes

Main Duties

The responsibilities may include some but not all of the responsibilities outlined below.

• Take a prominent role in delivering the research goals of the group
• Conduct a research program, defined in agreement with the group
• Fulfil group responsibilities on development of new detectors for particle detection and identification, and in research and development on photon detectors in the context of the DRD4 collaboration
• Conduct individual and collaborative research projects
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Collect, analyse and interpret data related to the research project
• Apply knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding
• Disseminate research findings for publication, research seminars etc

Person Specification

• Hold or about to attain a PhD (or near to completion) in Experimental Particle Physics or another relevant scientific discipline
• Proven ability in research and evidence of quality research outputs in experimental particle physics
• Proven track record in particle research instrumentation, and computing (C++, Python)
• High level analytical capability
• Ability to communicate complex information clearly
• Fluency in relevant models, techniques or methods of experimental particle physics and ability to contribute to developing new ones
• Ability to assess resource requirements and use resources effectively
• Excellent planning and time management skills to ensure your research objectives are achieved on schedule

Informal enquiries to Cristina Lazzeroni, email: c.lazzeroni@bham.ac.uk

To download the full job description and details of this position and submit an electronic application online please click on the 'Apply' button above.

Valuing excellence, sustaining investment We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working.