PhD project: Searching for new physics with Mu2e
Supervisor: Dr Alex Keshavarzi
The Mu2e experiment at Fermilab (Chicago, USA) is poised to become one of the
most sensitive particle physics experiments in the world, searching for the
ultra-rare neutrinoless conversion of a muon into an electron in the field of
an atomic nucleus — an unambiguous signal of new physics beyond the Standard
Model of particle physics. This process violates charged lepton flavour
conservation, a symmetry respected in the Standard Model but predicted to
break down in many compelling new physics scenarios (e.g. supersymmetry,
leptoquark models, and frameworks involving heavy neutrinos or dark matter
interactions) which could help explain several of the universe's unresolved
phenomena. Mu2e is uniquely positioned in this global search: its innovative
pulsed muon beam and highly advanced detector systems will allow it to probe
branching ratios four orders of magnitude beyond current limits, pushing deep
into unexplored territory with energy-scale
discovery potential far surpassing that of current high-energy collider
experiments.
This PhD project at UCL, supervised by Dr Alex Keshavarzi, offers an exceptional opportunity to play a leading role in the commissioning, calibration, and data analysis of Mu2e as the experiment transitions from construction to full scientific operation in 2026. The successful candidate will work at the frontier of experimental particle physics, contributing to the operation and performance optimisation of the stopping target monitor — a critical X-ray detection system provided by the UK — and collaborating closely with international teams on the flagship physics analyses which will search for new physics beyond the Standard Model. This is a rare chance to join a world-leading U.S. experiment at a pivotal moment, with additional funding available to support extended work based at Fermilab and in the Chicago area, and to contribute to a high-impact scientific mission with real potential to uncover new fundamental laws of nature.
Contact: Dr Alex Keshavarzi alex.i.keshavarzi@gmail.com