We are looking for up to 5 PhD candidates for the study of fast-timing detectors. Some candidates will focus on studies of fast-timing sensors while others focus on the detector readout. Research on the sensor will involve detailed characterisation studies of sensor designs (such as MAPS, LGAD and 3D) using in-house lab facilities such as laser setups and testbeam data. Research on the readout of fast-timing detectors include studying the timing performance, calibration and time-correction algorithms that are vital for the detector operation. The research is for future detectors but also connected to the current LHC experiments. You will be embedded in the ALICE, ATLAS, LHCb or the R&D group at the Nikhef institute, depending on the position.

The positions offered here are part of an NWO-funded research program "FASTER - Fast sensors and Algorithms for Space-time Tracking and Event Reconstruction", which will comprise 7 PhD positions and 3 postdoc positions in the period 2023-2028, all focused on research of fast-timing tracking systems for the ALICE, ATLAS and LHCb and future experiments. Fast-timing tracking detectors, consisting of billions of pixels, will precisely measure the time at which particles pass our detectors. Use of this information will enable the experiments to cope with the fierce environment of the high luminosity LHC where they will see unprecedented hit rates and levels of radiation. The consortium members bring together expertise on sensor technologies, detector hardware and advanced pattern-recognition algorithms.

What are you going to do?

In the FASTER program, we will research and develop novel fast-timing sensors, develop methods and algorithms to calibrate the time measurement at picosecond level. Also we will research pattern recognition algorithms that make use of the time measurements to execute more efficiently and on heterogeneous computing architectures such as GPUs.

We are looking for PhD candidates with an (almost) completed Master degree in high-energy physics, applied physics or in a closely related field. The ideal candidate has a strong interest in instrumentation, has good software skills (C++, Python, ROOT) and preferably has (some) research experience in experimental particle physics or detector R&D.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students. You will be enrolled in the national research school for subatomic physics that offers annual graduate schools for PhD candidates, as well as frequent series of lectures on advanced topics in (astro)particle physics

The candidate will be employed by either the University of Amsterdam (UvA) or by the NWO-I-foundation. Your salary at the UvA will range between €2,541 in the first year to €3,247 gross per month in the last year of employment, on the basis of a full working week of 38 hour. (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the '30% ruling', may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable. For the PhD positions that will be employed by the NWO-I foundation the details about the NWO-I conditions of employment conditions can be found here.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park the UvA offers you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• a complete educational program for PhD students;
• multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• partly paid parental leave;
• the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you're moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about UvA's extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Faculty of Science

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute of Physics (IoP) is located in the center of the Amsterdam Science Park. The IoP - as part of the Faculty of Science - is housed in a modern building with excellent labs and technical facilities. Surrounded by several national research institutes and with our partners at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the institute is part of a strong physics center of international standing. One of the institutes that the IoP has very close ties to is Nikhef, the national institute for subatomic physics in The Netherlands. The present vacancy is fully embedded in the ATLAS group of Nikhef.

The Nikhef organization
Nikhef is the national institute for subatomic physics in The Netherlands. At Nikhef, approximately 175 physicists and 75 technical staff members work together in an open and international scientific environment. Together, they perform theoretical and experimental research in the fields of particle and astroparticle physics. The Nikhef institute is a collaboration between six major Dutch universities and the Dutch Foundation for Scientific Research (NWO).

Nikhef participates in large research collaborations, including the ATLAS, LHCb and ALICE experiments at CERN, the KM3NeT neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean, the VIRGO interferometer in Pisa, the Xenon1T dark matter experiment in Gran Sasso, the Pierre Auger cosmic ray observatory in Argentina and the eEDM research programme in Groningen. Nikhef also hosts a group in theoretical physics, and groups for Physics Data Processing and detector R&D, excellent electronic- and mechanical engineering groups, all with good connections to the experimental programs.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

• Dr. Hella Snoek hella.snoek@nikhef.nl