Searching for Sterile Neutrinos and other Beyond the Standard Model phenomena with SBND

About the Project

The SBND (Short-Baseline Near Detector) experiment is part of the multi-detector Short Baseline Neutrino (SBN) programme located along the Booster Neutrino Beamline at Fermilab, USA. Each detector in the SBN programme utilises the liquid argon time projection chamber (LArTPC) technology. The main goal of the SBN programme is to address a number of anomalies observed by previous short baseline experiments through searches for sterile neutrinos and additional beyond the Standard Model (BSM) phenomena. SBND will also study the intricate nature of neutrino interactions on heavy nuclei in great detail, which will be invaluable to the next generation of liquid argon neutrino detectors. The SBND experiment began data-taking in July 2024.

The particle physics and particle astrophysics (PPPA) group at the University of Sheffield is involved in both the SBND and SBN projects, with a broad range of responsibilities spanning detector operation, modelling, software development, and data analysis.

This PhD project will focus on addressing the short baseline anomalies through measurements of key parameters which govern sterile neutrino oscillations and BSM processes. This will involve taking a lead role in developing dedicated software frameworks, including the implementation of machine learning techniques.

A long-term attachment (6-12 months) and short-term travel to Fermilab during the operation of SBND will be possible, as well as partaking in detector operation shifts.

The candidate should have a good knowledge of particle physics and strong experience programming in Python or C++.

Candidates who are interested in multiple projects within our group need only register their interest once and will be considered for all projects in which they have an interest. You will need to put down a named supervisor, please use Kristin Lohwasser and Trevor Vickey as contact persons.

For further Information, please email k.lohwasser@sheffield.ac.uk and T.Vickey@sheffield.ac.uk or look at the University’s website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/postgraduate/phd.

Further Information on the Particle Physics group in Sheffield and our projects can be found here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/mps/research/physics/particle

Funding Notes

This project is for Self-funded students or students with external funding.