Research Fellow (Dark Matter)

Salary: Full time starting salary is normally in the range £34,980 to £44,263, with potential progression once in post to £46,974.

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract up to March 2026

Closes: 7^th August 2024

The post-holder will work within the Birmingham Particle Physics research group, undertaking a range of activities within the area of Dark Matter searches. The emphasis will be on gaseous particle detectors and the development of the relevant low radioactivity techniques and capabilities.

The group is leading the NEWS-G collaboration, which searches for light dark matter with spherical proportional counters, and makes significant contributions to the DarkSide-20k experiment, a dual-phase liquid argon time projection chamber currently under construction in the Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso. 



In NEWS-G, in addition to collecting physics data with the existing experiment in SNOLAB, the collaboration is preparing its next generation detector, DarkSPHERE, at the Boulby Underground Laboratory, where construction of a first stage detector will begin this year. In DarkSide-20k, following the assembly of approximately 2000 high-radiopurity front-end boards with integrated electronics for the veto photo-detection system, the group now focuses on the installation and commissioning of the system, as well as preparation for first data. The successful applicant will play a leading role in these activities.

The Birmingham Particle Physics group currently has 13 academic staff, 20 post doctoral researchers and engineers, 3 support staff and 22 research students. It attracts funding of around £3M per year. In addition to direct Dark Matter searches, our present activities include ATLAS and LHCb at the LHC, NA62 on the CERN SPS, the future Brookhaven Electron Ion Collider, as well as various interests in future energy-frontier facilities.

The School of Physics and Astronomy is a world-leading physics department, excelling in both research and teaching. Our physics research was recently ranked top in the UK for 4-star-category research, and 4th by GPA, by the Research Excellence Framework 2021. The School’s research portfolio is wide-ranging, and covers the three principal themes of Quantum Matter, Particle and Nuclear Physics, and Astronomy and Experimental Gravity. It has over 120 academic and research staff together with 120 graduate students with around 50 technical and clerical support staff.

Main Duties

The responsibilities include those outlined below.

• Develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research, with assistance of principle investigator
• Contribute to writing bids for research funding
• Analyse and interpret data

Person Specification

First degree in physics and PhD (or one near to completion) in Particle or Astro-particle Physics. They will have a high level of analytical capability, ability to communicate complex information clearly, and be familiar with the models, techniques or methods currently in use in particle and astroparticle physics.

Informal enquiries to Dr Patrick Knights p.r.knights@bham.ac.uk or Prof Kostas Nikolopoulos k.nikolopoulos@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.

Advert information