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PhD Research Fellow in Experimental Particle Physics
Deadline: 28.02.2023
Universitetet i Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.
The research at the Department of Physics covers a broad range of subfields within physics and technology: From space research to medical physics. A good proportion of the research is interdisciplinary, and conducted in close cooperation with collaborators in Norway and abroad.
Education and teaching are other essential activities. We offer a broad range of courses, and the Department is involved in several study programmes at bachelor’s and master’s level. Some of the best lecturers in Norway are amongst our employees, and we are proud of our prizewinning teaching and learning environment. The Department has 200 employees, of which 50 are permanent scientific positions. On a yearly basis 20 students complete their Ph.D. and 50 finish their M.Sc. degree.
Job description
2-3 positions (depending on funding) as PhD Research Fellow in experimental particle physics is available at the Department of Physics.
No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date no later than October 1, 2023.
The fellowship period is 3 years. A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that normally consists of teaching. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.
More about the position
The Norwegian centre for CERN research is looking for 2-3 motivated and talented PhD students for research with the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN. The ATLAS experiment is designed to search for new physics in proton-proton collisions and was key to the discovery of the Higgs boson in 2012. The High Energy Physics group (HEP) in Oslo is particularly interested in searches for Dark Matter, Supersymmetry, the Higgs boson and Exotic particles. After the LHC upgrade to High-Luminosity LHC scheduled for 2029, the ATLAS detector will also be upgraded with new and more performant detector systems. The HEP group in Oslo is responsible for building a fraction of the 3D silicon pixel modules for the inner layers of the Inner Tracker (ITK) of ATLAS. In addition, the group contributes to R&D work for future detector technologies relevant for future ATLAS upgrades. The group in Oslo works closely with University of Bergen and SINTEF in addition to CERN.
Position 1. The successful candidate(s) will work on 3D pixel sensors and modules for the ITK upgrade for HL-LHC as well as participate in R&D towards novel sensors together with CERN (e.g. new 3D designs, CMOS technology (e.g. MALTA), quantum sensing). The candidates are expected to strengthen the group’s work on sensor development, detector R&D and instrumentation. TDAQ simulations and/or participation in irradiation and testbeam campaigns as well as analysis of the data from such campaigns will be necessary. Longer stays (ca. 3-18 months) at CERN are required. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to work together with internationally renowned experts and participate in the latest research of future detectors which may contribute to discover new knowledge and get a better understanding of the universe.
Position 2. The successful candidate will contribute to the search for Higgs boson pair production, with an emphasis on the two-photon plus multi-lepton decay channels. This work entails the leveraging of machine learning techniques in order to maximize sensitivity to the low cross section of the signal. The project also provides a natural opportunity to explore and further develop statistical analysis techniques/tools, which will be encouraged.
The candidate(s) will take responsibilities within software and data quality or upgrade- related activities, as part of the necessary ATLAS service work leading to qualification to be author of ATLAS publications. They will participate in shift work to monitor ATLAS data taking. Frequent or long-term stays at CERN are possible and encouraged.
Qualification requirements
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.
Required:
- Master’s degree or equivalent in particle physics
- Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
Desired:
- Position 1: Prior experience in sensor development, detector R&D and instrumentation
- Position 2: Prior experience in data analysis, the use of statistical methods and tools, as well as machine learning
Candidates without a Master’s degree have until 30 June, 2023 to complete the final exam.
Grade and language requirements:
The norm is as follows:
- The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system.
- The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system.
- The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in English
- For candidates who would like to apply for a fourth year including teaching, good knowledge of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is strongly preferred.
- English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements
Personal skills:
- Good collaboration skills, and the ability to work independently and in an interdisciplinary research environment.
- Good presentation skills
The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.
The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:
The position's subject area may require licensing under the Norwegian Export Control Act. In order to be considered for the position, it is a prerequisite that UiO must be able to be granted such licence.
We offer
- Salary NOK 501 200 – 544 400 per annum depending on qualifications and seniority as PhD Research Fellow (position code 1017)
- Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
- Vibrant international academic environment
- Career development programmes
- Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
How to apply
The application must include:
- Cover letter – statement of motivation and research interests
- CV (summarizing education, previous positions and academic work)
- Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma, transcripts of records and letters of recommendation
- Documentation of English proficiency
- List of any publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
- Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)
- Applicants who are interested in teaching need to add to this application a description of their motivation for and (if any) experience with teaching.
The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system (please follow the link “Apply for this job”). Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.
Interviews will be part of the hiring process.
Formal regulations
Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.
According to the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.
The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results etc.
Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.
If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.
Contact information
For further information please contact:
For questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact HR Adviser Elin Thoresen, e-mail: elin.thoresen@mn.uio.no.
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