Research Fellow in High Energy Physics on Xenon Futures - Ref:1862513
The UCL High Energy Physics Group has an immediate opening for an outstanding PhD particle or astroparticle physicist to work on the Xenon Futures programme, conducting R&D towards a future 3rd generation (G3) global rare event search observatory for dark matter searches and neutrino physics.
The applicant will play a leading role in the construction, commissioning and operation of a new state-of-the-art facility at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) to measure trace quantities of radon emanation from construction materials used in rare event search experiments. Radon emanation has emerged as the dominant background source in the world's most sensitive dark matter detectors and will be the limiting factor to exploring new physics in future experiments. The new facility at RAL is designed to perform crucial R&D to address this international challenge. Combining radon detectors of unprecedented sensitivity with a novel gas system and low-temperature operation, the applicant will conduct the world's first measurements of temperature-dependent rates and characteristics of radon transport in materials. This will enable the radio-pure construction of future dark matter and exotic neutrino experiments and deliver the high precision background models necessary to evaluate any possible signal.
UCL are one of the leading institutes in the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) dark matter search experiment based at the Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF), South Dakota, USA. LZ will be the world'ss most sensitive search for galactic dark matter, with data-taking beginning mid-2020. The applicant will also have the opportunity to contribute to LZ, through on-site operations, calibrations, Monte Carlo simulations and analysis of the science datasets that may yield first discovery of dark matter - a result that would revolutionise our understanding of the universe.
This position is funded for 1 year initially with possibility of extension for a further 2 years thereafter.
The salary will be in the Researcher Grade 7 range: £35,965 - £43,470 per annum, inclusive of London allowance, depending on skills and experience.
For further details about the vacancy and how to apply online please go to this link.
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Shanice Thomas (shanice.thomas@ucl.ac.uk).
Informal enquiries regarding the vacancy can be made to Prof. Chamkaur Ghag (c.ghag@ucl.ac.uk).
Closing Date: 23:59 on 3rd May 2020.