PhD Student Positions in Neutrino Physics with the T2K Experiment

Job description:

The above positions at the Institute of Physics at the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz are to be filled as soon as possible. The institute hosts several experimental and theoretical working groups; the positions are assigned to Prof. Alfons Weber as part of the working group ‘Experimental Particle and Astroparticle Physics’.

Prof. Weber is enlarging the T2K group in Mainz to investigate neutrino interaction physics and CP-violation in the lepton sector with T2K's recently upgraded ND280 near detector. The PhD candidates' work will include studying the detector performance, developing event selections, measuring neutrino cross sections or oscillation parameters, and trips to Japan for hands-on work on the detector. For more information contact a.weber@uni-mainz.de or lukas.koch@uni-mainz.de.

Prof. Weber’s group is part of the cluster of excellence PRISMA+ (“Precision Physics, Fundamental Interactions and Structure of Matter”), dedicated to exploring key questions of the fundamental constituents of matter and its cosmological implications. Aside from T2K, we are involved in other neutrino physics and particle detector endeavours like DUNE and LiquidO. The above neutrino activities are supported by a well-equipped detector development laboratory and the local 1.6 GeV electron accelerator at JGU. The department is strongly involved in several activities in high energy physics (ATLAS, NA62), dark matter searches (XENON1T, XENONnT, ALPS-II, IAXO), detector R&D and neutrinos (IceCube, Borexino, JUNO, Project 8).

The successful applicants are expected to

• have a master’s degree and a good knowledge of particle physics,
• be able to work independently and as part of an international team,   
• be able to travel internationally and to attend (online) meetings outside usual working hours, and
• be proficient in English.

It will be advantageous to have

• hardware and/or some programming experience, and
• prior knowledge of neutrino physics.

Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz is aiming to increase the number of women among its scientific personnel and thus encourages women to apply. We have a diverse working group and recognise the strength in tapping into the largest pool of talent. We therefore encourage people to apply irrespective of sex, gender, race, age, nationality, or sexual orientation.

Disabled applicants will be given preference, if equally qualified.

The positions (salaried at 67% TV-L 13) are available for 3 years in the first instance. Qualified candidates are asked to submit their application (including a CV and a statement of motivation, research interests and experience) to Katarina Maric. At least one but no more than two referees should send letters of recommendation, addressing the selection criteria, by the deadline.

Applications and the Letter(s) of Reference should be sent to Katarina Maric (kmaric@uni-mainz.de) before 3-April-2023 for full consideration.