Research Associate in Particle Physics

South Kensington Campus/CERN Laboratory in Geneva

Fixed Term: Two years in the first instance, with possibility of extension

The Particle Physics Community at Imperial invites applications for a Research Associate to contribute to the CMS experiment.

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.

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

Applications can be made online via our website. Please go to www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs  and search for NAT01946.

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

If you experience any technical issues with your online application, contact the Imperial Recruitment Hub team - support.jobs@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.

Imperial is committed to equality of opportunity, the elimination of discrimination, and the creation of an inclusive working environment for all. We welcome applicants regardless of age, disability, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, gender identity, sex, or sexual orientation.

To learn more about Imperial’s work in equity, diversity and inclusion, please visit

- Equality at Imperial

- Imperial’s Diversity Networks

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