About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Particle Detectors available at Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN), Department of Physics, University of Oslo.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo. Starting date no later than 1 October 2024.

The fellowship period is 3 years.

A fourth year may be considered with a workload of 25 % that may consist of teaching, supervision duties, and/or research assistance. This is dependent upon the qualification of the applicant and the current needs of the department.

Job description

The position is part of the project Microfabrication of finely segmented Silicon sensors with charge multiplication for next generation LIGHt sources and particle Trackers (Si-LIGHT), funded by the Research Council of Norway.

The main objective of the project is fabrication of silicon sensors with charge multiplication for next generation X-ray sources and particle trackers using the concept of low gain avalanche diode (LGAD). LGAD will enable the ultra-high spatial resolution soft X-ray imaging that is foreseen for the future X-ray Free Electron Lasers (XFEL), synchrotrons and particle accelerators.

The Centre for Materials Science and Nanotechnology (SMN) comprises UiO's focus on renewable energy, materials science, and nanotechnology. SMN is an interdisciplinary collaboration between five research groups in physics and chemistry, and spearheads the MN Faculty's efforts for sustainable energy solutions.

The position is supported by the Norwegian Research Centre in collaboration with SINTEF. The project consortium has a research infrastructure covering the whole value chain from sensor design to functional characterisation.

The consortium collaborates closely with Stanford Linear Accelerator Centre (SLAC National Laboratory), USA to define the necessary requirements and to perform functional characterisation for these novel detectors.

The PhD research fellow will be affiliated with the semiconductor physics group LENS (Light and electricity from novel Semiconductors) with around 40 highly dedicated professors, researchers, postdocs, PhD fellow researchers and master students.

The research group has an excellent infrastructure covering chemical, structural, optical and electrical characterization methods, device fabrication and simulations. The infrastructure includes the Micro- and Nanotechnology Laboratory (MiNaLab), with a clean room area more than 400 m2 as well as a park of modern characterization facilities.

The position has a focus on design, simulations and subsequent testing of the silicon detectors.

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.

• Master’s degree or equivalent in in materials science or physics
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English

• 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. 

Desired qualifications:

It is desirable that applicants have knowledge and experience with:

• Documented experience with TCAD simulation tools for semiconductor technology, such as Silvaco or Synopsys
• Documented experience with testing semiconductor radiation detectors
• Documented experience with clean room and semiconductor processing: doping techniques, lithography, etc.

Grade 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
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements

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 here.

Personal skills

• Ability to create and contribute to a well-functioning, inclusive and productive research environment
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability to work in an interdisciplinary scientific environment

We offer

• Salary NOK 532 200 – 575 400,- 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, positions and academic work - scientific publications)
• Copies of the original Bachelor and Master’s degree diploma and transcripts of records
• Documentation of English proficiency
• List of 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)

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 with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

Formal regulations

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Research Fellowships at the University of Oslo.

According to the Norwegian Freedom and 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.

UiO has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

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 about the position please contact:

• Professor Eduard Monakhov, phone: +47 228 40935, e-mail: edouard@fys.uio.no

For technical questions regarding Jobbnorge, please contact:

• HR Adviser Olga Holmund, e-mail: olga.holmlund@mn.uio.no

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