Research Associate in Particle Physics on ATLAS

Economics Network; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Manchester invites applications for a Research Associate to work on the ATLAS experiment at the CERN LHC in Manchester. The successful candidate will contribute to polarisation studies and help develop jet reconstruction and tagging algorithms to support ATLAS analyses.

The role requires a PhD in particle physics and offers collaboration with a large group of researchers and PhD students, with potential opportunities for HL-LHC/FCC-related phenomenology studies.

Qualifications

• PhD in particle physics by start date or equivalent.
• Experience in data analysis, event generation modelling, trigger or detector operations.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Responsibilities

• Study joint polarisation of weak boson pairs produced via vector boson scattering and decay via semileptonic channel.
• Develop and calibrate jet reconstruction and tagging algorithms to aid polarisation measurements.
• Participate in phenomenology studies relevant to HL-LHC and FCC as opportunities arise.
• Based in Manchester with frequent visits to CERN.

Skills

Data analysis

Event generator modelling

Trigger systems

Detector operations

Particle physics research

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.

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

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Enquiries about the role, shortlisting and interviews

Name: Prof. Andrew Pilkington

Email Address: [e-mail]

General enquiries and administrative support

[e-mail]

Technical and job portal support

https://knowledge.jobtrain.co.uk/jobseeker [knowledge.jobtrain.co.uk]

Applications close at midnight on the closing date.

£38,448 to £46,970 per annum depending on relevant experience