Research Associate in Particle Physics on ATLAS

The University of Manchester; Manchester; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous pension

29 days annual leave plus bank holiday

Ride to work and EV car scheme

Job summary

The University of Manchester’s Particle Physics group invites applications for a Research Associate to work on the ATLAS experiment at the CERN LHC. The successful candidate will join a vibrant team of researchers using state-of-the-art data analysis to study vector boson scattering and the polarisation of weak boson pairs.

The role requires a PhD in particle physics, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to develop jet reconstruction and tagging algorithms.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Study the polarisation of weak boson pairs produced via vector boson scattering and decay via the semileptonic channel.
• Develop and calibrate jet reconstruction and tagging algorithms to aid polarisation measurements.
• Collaborate with the Manchester ATLAS group and CERN; contribute to HL-LHC related studies if applicable.
• Possibly participate in phenomenology studies relevant to HL-LHC and FCC.

Skills

Data analysis

Event generator modelling

Trigger systems

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.

Grades 6-9

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

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.

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/

Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Prof. Andrew Pilkington

Email Address: [e-mail]

General enquiries and administrative support

[e-mail]