Assistant Professor in CERN-Related Physics and Detector Development

Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University; Aarhus; On-site; DKK 550,000 - 700,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation service

Career counselling

International environment

Job summary

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Aarhus University invites applications for a 2-year fixed-term research position starting February 1, 2027, with potential extension by 1 year. The successful candidate will establish and lead detector development activities for CERN-based experiments, contributing to ALICE projects such as ITS3 or LumiCal and related data analysis tools.

We seek a PhD holder in physics with strong experimental or theoretical background in particle or nuclear physics,

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics or a closely related field.
• Strong experimental or theoretical background in particle and/or nuclear physics.
• Experience with detector development and testing; electronics and data analysis skills.
• Good knowledge of accelerator physics and international collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead detector development activities for CERN-based experiments.
• Collaborate with international partners and contribute to data analysis efforts.
• Engage in teaching and supervision at university level.

Skills

Particle physics

Detector development

Electronics & data analysis

Accelerator physics

Education

PhD in Physics or closely related field

Job description

Expected start date and duration of employment

The position is available from February 1st, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. This is a 2-year fixed-term position ending on January 31st, 2029, possibly extendable by 1 year.

Job description

The successful candidate is expected to establish and lead research activities in detector development for CERN-based experiments. Relevant research areas include high-energy nuclear physics (ALICE, e.g., ITS3 or FoCal), including associated data analysis tools and readout electronics, low-energy nuclear physics at ISOLDE (e.g., the ISOLDE Decay Station, IDS), and the development of the Luminosity Calorimeter (LumiCal) for the Future Circular Collider (FCC). The position is funded under the national CERN lighthouse initiative to strengthen Denmark's engagement with CERN, https://phys.au.dk/dirac-center.

Your profile

The ideal candidate has strong backgrounds in particle and/or nuclear physics (experimental as well as theoretical), detector development and testing, electronics and data analysis techniques and good knowledge of accelerator physics.

• Hold a PhD in Physics or a closely related field
• Have demonstrated the ability to conduct independent research at high international level
• Have documented experience in teaching and supervision at university level and an ambition to strengthen these competences e.g. through taking on the responsibility of a physics course at the department and completing the university pedagogical programme
• Demonstrate strong potential to establish an independent research programme
• Demonstrate the ability to engage in local, national and international research collaborations
• Be able to communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing

Who we are

The Department of Physics and Astronomy (IFA) is part of the Faculty of Natural Sciences at Aarhus University. We conduct excellent, internationally recognized research across a broad range of fields within physics and astronomy and provide research-based education at Bachelor, Master and PhD levels. The Department is home to a vibrant community of researchers, technical and administrative staff, PhD students, and undergraduate and graduate students who all contribute to a dynamic and inspiring environment.

The Department conducts excellent research at the highest international level, with several research areas among the world elite. Our researchers participate in numerous international collaborations with leading universities, research institutions, and large-scale research facilities, including CERN.

Read more about the Department of Physics and Astronomy at: https://phys.au.dk/en.

What we offer

The successful candidate will join an ambitious, international and collaborative research environment with strong support for both professional and personal development. The Department offers excellent opportunities to develop an independent research profile, establish new collaborations, and contribute to the education and supervision of students at all levels. We foster an inclusive working culture characterized by openness, mutual respect, and a healthy work-life balance.

Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants.

Salary and terms as agreed between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and the Confederation of Professional Unions at basic salary steps 4-8.

Research activities will be evaluated in relation to actual research time. Thus, we encourage applicants to specify periods of leave without research activities, in order to be able to subtract these periods from the span of the scientific career during the evaluation of scientific productivity.

Aarhus University offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including relocation service and career counselling to expat partners.

Please find more information about entering and working in Denmark here.

Place of work and area of employment

The place of work is Ny Munkegade 120, 8000 Aarhus C, and the area of employment is Aarhus University with related departments.

Contact information

For further information, please contact: Head of Department, Professor Ulrik Ingerslev Uggerhøj, phone [phone], email [e-mail].

Deadline

The application deadline is November 6th, 2026.