Research Associate in Particle Physics

Physics World; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in London seeks a Research Associate in Particle Physics. The position will focus on studying neutrino oscillations and preparing analyses for the DUNE project. Candidates should possess a PhD in experimental particle physics and experience in data analysis, C++ development, and team leadership. The role offers a competitive salary with opportunities for international collaboration.

Qualifications

• Experience of data analysis, including statistical analysis and simulations.
• Strong record of contributions to major experimental particle physics projects.
• Demonstrated ability to lead a small team.

Responsibilities

• Prepare flagship analyses for DUNE project.
• Carry out R&D for readout electronics.
• Engage in multidisciplinary teamwork.

Skills

Data analysis for particle-physics applications

C++ software development

Planning work for a team

Initiative and developing own ideas

Flexibility in adapting to environments

Education

PhD in experimental particle physics

Tools

FPGA-based electronics

VHDL firmware

Job description

Research Associate in Particle Physics

Particle Physics Community, Department of Physics

South Kensington Campus

Salary range: £49,017 - £57,472 per annum

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

The Particle Physics Community at Imperial invites applications for a Research Associate position to study neutrino oscillations. You will prepare the flagship analyses that will be used by the next-generation Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) to measure leptonic CP violation, while using data from the current-generation T2K and NOvA experiments to test these approaches and obtain the best measurements possible until the next generation experiments are ready at the end of this decade. In parallel you will carry out R&D for the readout electronics and other aspects of DUNE’s phase II near detector. The research programme will be conducted in the Blackett Laboratory at Imperial College, with work also taking place at the experimental sites in Japan, the USA and Geneva as well as collaborating institutes.

These tasks will involve working with a team applying multidisciplinary skills in the general areas 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 DUNE, T2K and NOvA UK and international communities. You will 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:

• Experience of data analysis for particle-physics like applications, including statistical analysis and simulations;
• Experience of software development and use, particularly C++;
• A strong record of contributions to a major experimental particle physics project;
• Demonstrated ability of planning work of a small team, of developers or scientists, of varied expertise, defining milestones and ensuring results are achieved;
• Experience in taking initiative and/or developing own ideas independently;
• Flexibility to adapt to an evolving environment and to work in teams, both as the leader or as a member.

In addition, it would be desirable if you had:

• Experience of working on the design or construction of particle physics detector systems;
• Experience with design and development of FPGA-based electronics including VHDL firmware;
• Experience of working in the environment of a large international science collaboration;
• Familiarity with machine learning techniques.

For a full list see the job description.

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 withpossible time at particle physics laboratories in the USA, Japan or Geneva. 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 £43,863 - £47,223 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: Dr. Patrick Dunne - [e-mail].

Prof. Alex Tapper (providing paternity leave cover for Patrick) - [e-mail].

For queries regarding the application process contact: Paula Brown, Section Administrator - [e-mail].

If you experience any technical issues with your online application, contact the Imperial Recruitment Hub team - [e-mail].

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

At Imperial, we highly value our postdocs and are committed to supporting your personal and professional development. The Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI) serves as a central hub, offering a wide range of resources, training, and guidance. Through ECRI, you'll benefit from tailored development opportunities-including mentoring, skills workshops, and networking events-all designed to support your growth and long-term career success.

Imperial is a proud signatory to the San-Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions, we evaluate applicants on the quality of their work, not the journal impact factor where it is published. For more information, see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/research-and-innovation/about-imperial-research/research-evaluation/.

Imperial believes that the use of animals in research is vital to improve human and animal health and welfare. Animals may only be used in research programmes which are ultimately aimed towards finding new treatments and making scientific and medical advances, and where there are no satisfactory or reasonably practical alternatives to their use. Imperial is committed to ensuring that, in cases where this research is deemed essential, all animals in our care are treated with full respect, and that all staff involved with this work show due consideration at every level. Find out more about animal research at Imperial.