Associate Professor Silicon Detector Instrumentation for Particle Physics (Research and Education) -

University of Birmingham; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in academia is seeking a dedicated academic with expertise in silicon tracking detectors. This role involves teaching, leading research in particle physics, and contributing to innovative projects that have societal impacts. The successful candidate will engage in a vibrant academic community, mentor students, and drive forward the Birmingham Instrumentation Laboratory for Particle physics and Applications. Join a dynamic team where your contributions will shape the future of particle physics research and education, while enjoying a supportive and collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant field required.
• Expertise in silicon technologies and detector development is essential.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to teaching and learning activities in physics.
• Lead research activities and secure funding for projects.
• Supervise PhD students and manage research staff.

Skills

Expertise in silicon technologies

Experience in detector design and development

Strong communication skills

Engagement with academic communities

Mentoring PhD students

Education

PhD or equivalent qualifications

Job description

Job Description

Position Details

School of Physics and Astronomy

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £56,921 to £65,814 with potential progression once in post to £85,544.

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 9, salary £65,814.

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 18th May 2025.

UK and International travel may be required for this role.

Role Summary

The School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Birmingham (UoB) seeks to appoint a high quality, motivated academic with a specialisation in silicon tracking detectors, to help drive activity as part of the Birmingham Instrumentation Laboratory for Particle physics and Applications (BILPA).

The post holder will play a role in all aspects of the BILPA work, including our ongoing experiments and R&D, as well as helping build new activities. An important priority will be to play a leading role in Birmingham work on the MAPS-based Silicon Vertex Tracker for the ePIC experiment at the US Electron Ion Collider (EIC). There may also be opportunities to contribute to directing the laboratory.

The BILPA facility is a 200 m2 suite of well-equipped clean rooms, supported by further substantial recently refurbished laboratory space. Its core user team currently includes two academics in addition to the appointee, four PDRAs, one engineer and four technicians, with numerous PhD students also engaging. Workstreams include:

1. Major construction projects, currently including contributions to the silicon-strip detectors for the ATLAS ITk upgrade at the LHC and the MAPS-based silicon vertex tracker for the ePIC detector at EIC.
2. Strategic R&D into CMOS sensors and 4D tracking technologies for next generation facilities.
3. Projects leading to wider societal impact, for example based on the use of particle tracking detectors for imaging and dosimetry in proton cancer therapy.
4. Work towards the creation of a unique facility for radiation-hardness characterisation, based on proton and neutron beam facilities in Birmingham.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach in our undergraduate degree programmes. Applicants are expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, develop and maintain mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with staff and students, and ensure their role impacts positively on others.

Role specifications include the following:

1. Expertise in silicon technologies, ideally MAPS-based, also emerging silicon technologies such as radiation hard CMOS sensors and fast timing detectors.
2. Experience of contributing to detector design, development and construction for particle physics (and potentially wider) applications.
3. Evidence of effectively engaging with academic or wider user communities.
4. Evidence of providing effective support and mentoring to PhD students, technical staff and/or early career research staff.
5. Demonstrated publication and scientific track record.
6. Strong communication skills in English, with ability to communicate effectively with staff and students in formal and informal settings.

You should make sure to attach the following to your application:

1. An academic CV, along with a full publication list;
2. A statement of future research plans and objectives in the context of the advertised role (max 2 pages);
3. A statement on your teaching approach and experience (max 2 pages); and
4. Contact details for three referees.

The Birmingham Particle Physics group currently has 12 academic staff, 21 postdoctoral researchers and engineers, 35 support staff and 22 research students. It attracts funding of around £3M per year.

Main Duties

Education

1. Contribute across the range of teaching and learning activities, making a significant contribution to the pedagogical knowledge base of the subject that advances teaching through the enhancement of practice, the development of teaching resources and/or through practice-based research.
2. Lead on the management and the development of approaches to teaching and learning, including designing innovative approaches to digital resources/environments and supporting colleagues to use them that are innovative to the subject area or institution.
3. Lead on curriculum design at module and programme level to ensure it is contemporary, inclusive, engaging and academically challenging.
4. Actively engage students in curriculum design and sharing evidence of "what works".
5. Make an impactful, high quality contribution to debates about education policy, methods and practices through internal and external publications, subject societies and conference activity.
6. Develop an external profile evidenced through engaging in external quality assurance activities related to teaching.
7. Play an important and sustained role in the recruitment and admission of students.
8. Co-supervise doctoral students to completion.
9. Lead the development of teaching, learning and assessment policies and strategies.
10. Act as an education mentor to colleagues in the School/Department/College or more widely.
11. Lead the development of new and appropriate approaches to learning and teaching.

Research

1. Pursue sustained research activity through original research and scholarship, including other research-related contributions through conference papers and presentations and/or consultancy projects and advice.
2. Contribute to the management of research activities and/or supervising other research staff.
3. Lead successful funding bids.
4. Consistently publish internationally excellent research, with some research regarded as world leading.
5. Supervise and examine PhD students, both within the institution and externally.

Person Specification

1. Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research/teaching area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications.

Demonstrated excellence in at least Research, with competence in Learning and Teaching and Management and Administration.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life.