Research Associate in Particle Physics on ATLAS

University of Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 37,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension

29 days annual leave

Ride to work scheme

EV car scheme

Flexible/hybrid working

Job summary

The University of Manchester’s Particle Physics group is seeking a Research Associate to contribute to the ATLAS experiment at CERN. The role is based in Manchester with frequent visits to CERN, supporting jet reconstruction, tagging and polarisation analyses.

The appointment is funded by the Leverhulme Trust, initially for three years, starting 1 January 2027. Applicants should hold a PhD in particle physics and can work independently and with collaborators.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in particle physics by start date.
• Experience in data analysis, event generation modelling, trigger/detector operations or combined detector performance.

Responsibilities

• Study joint polarisation of weak-boson pairs produced via vector boson scattering and decay via semileptonic channel.
• Develop and calibrate new jet reconstruction and tagging algorithms to aid polarisation measurements.
• Possibly participate in phenomenology studies related to HL-LHC and FCC.

Skills

Data analysis

Event generator modelling

Trigger operations

Detector operations

Detector performance

Education

PhD in particle physics

Job description

The Particle Physics group at the University of Manchester has a vacancy for a Research Associate to work on the ATLAS experiment at the CERN LHC. The Manchester ATLAS group consists of seven academic members of staff, twelve research staff and around 20 PhD students. The Manchester group has a strong involvement in many areas of ATLAS physics analysis, including studies of the Higgs boson's interactions, measurements of high-energy electroweak processes (VBS/VBF, multiboson production), top quark physics, and searches for new phenomena. The Manchester group is also heavily involved ATLAS detector operations and performance, with long-standing contributions to the ATLAS trigger and data acquisition system, jet and flavour tagging performance, and the Phase-II upgrade.

The postdoctoral position is funded by the Leverhulme Trust and will be hosted by the Manchester ATLAS group. The overall goal of the project is to study the joint polarisation of weak boson pairs that are produced via the vector boson scattering process and decay via the semileptonic channel. New jet reconstruction and tagging algorithms will be developed and calibrated to aid the polarisation measurements. There may be opportunities to take part in phenomenology studies relevant to HL-LHC and FCC.

Applicants must have a PhD or equivalent in particle physics by the time of starting the position. The successful candidate will have experience in one or more of the following areas of particle physics: data analysis, event generator modelling, trigger, detector operations, or combined detector performance. You should be able to work independently and collaboratively, communicate research effectively and organise work to agreed timescales. The full essential and desirable criteria are set out in the accompanying Job Description and Person Specification. The appointment will be from 1st January 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter. The appointment will initially be for a period of three years. The successful candidate will be based in Manchester and will make frequent visits to CERN.

Application and enquiries

The Department of Physics & Astronomy is strongly committed to promoting equality and diversity, including the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality in higher education. The Department holds a Silver Award which recognises their good practice in relation to gender; including flexible working arrangements, family-friendly policies, and support to allow staff to achieve a good work-life balance. We positively welcome applications from women for this post. Appointment will always be made on merit. For further information, please visit: https://www.physics.manchester.ac.uk/connect/social-responsibility/

(Grades 6-9)

Our benefits include:

• Generous employer contribution pension
• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays, along with Christmas closure
• Ride to work and EV car scheme available

For more information, please see University of Manchester Benefits. You can also find information on our Flexible and Hybrid working here.

We are an open place of enquiry and challenge. We embrace and celebrate difference, diversity and debate, and we pride ourselves on being a place of education, learning and community where we are able, within the law, to question and test received wisdom, express new ideas and explore controversial or unpopular topics and opinions. Find out more from our Freedom of Speech Policy.

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Prof. Andrew Pilkington

Email Address: [e-mail]

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