Two PhD students in experimental hadron physics

Two PhD students in experimental hadron physics

Do you want to contribute to solving one of the most elusive riddles of matter, using modern methods that you take part in developing? Do you want to work together with competent and nice colleagues in an international environment? Then you are welcome to apply for employment as a doctoral student at Uppsala University!

One of the great challenges in modern physics is to understand how the strong force binds the fundamental building blocks, quarks and gluons, into hadrons. Neutrons and protons, which make up most of the visible mass in the universe, are examples of hadrons. In our research group, we are particularly interested in hyperons, i.e. three-quark systems that are similar to protons but where one or more of the light quarks have been replaced by heavier strange or charm quarks.  By studying how hyperons form and decay, we can measure their structure at the femtometre level – that is, distances around 10-15 m! Our group has recently taken the first "snapshots" of the formation of strange hyperon-antihyperon pairs. We now want to take these innovative experiments to the next level by exploring hadrons with charm quarks. The Belle II facility in Japan, where electrons and positrons collide, is perfect both for this and for other types of structural studies. Using similar methods, we can investigate the existence of so-called CP-violating processes – something that could help us understand why the universe consists of matter, but almost no antimatter.

Duties
We are looking for a PhD student who can participate in the collection and analysis of data from Belle II, as well as to develop modern analysis tools, possibly using machine-learning techniques, for electron-positron experiments. It is also possible to either include a theory component, or conduct a project within the hadron beam experiment HADES in Germany, if there is interest. The PhD student is expected to participate in meetings and workshops abroad work with simulations, reconstruction, analysis and interpretation of data, and contribute to tasks relevant for the operation and improvement of the experiment.

Requirements

A person can be admitted as a PhD student of physics if they

• passed an advanced level degree in physics, technical physics or equivalent, or
• completed at least 240 ECTs, of which at least 60 at advanced level including an independent project work of at least 15 ECTs, or
• acquired equivalent knowledge in some other way.

For this position, the applicant is also required to have

• completed advanced level courses in subatomic physics
• completed independent work corresponding to approx. 20 weeks of full-time studies in subatomic physics
• basic knowledge of programming, for example in Python and/or C++.
• good oral and written skills in English
• ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others.

The degree does not have to be completed at the time of application, but no later than at the time of admission.

Applications should include: a brief description of research interests and relevant experience, CV, copies of certificates and diplomas, MSc thesis (or a draft thereof), a reference list and other documents, that the applicant wishes to claim.

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1 January 2025 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact: Karin Schönning, karin.schonning@physics.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 1:a november 2024, UFV-PA 2024/2861

Physics and Astronomy is one of Uppsala University's largest departments with nearly 400 employees, of which approximately 100 are PhD students. The department conducts world-class research and education in both theoretical and experimental physics and has extensive collaboration with the outside world. The research is carried out at nine research divisions and touches everything from the unimaginably small to the incredibly large, including the energy supply, climate development, new materials, as well as the universe and its smallest constituents. This entire spectrum is also reflected in the department's courses and educational programs. Around 2,500 students study courses at basic and advanced level at the department every year. Read more at www.physics.uu.se

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