PhD Fellowship on T2K @IRFU/CEA - Student at IRFU, SPP, Saclay

The T2K (Tokai to Kamioka) experiment in Japan is studying neutrino oscillations by using a beam of muon neutrinos and antineutrinos. The comparison of neutrino and anti-neutrino oscillations allows to measure a fundamental parameter which is still unknown: the phase of the PMNS matrix that accounts for CP violation in the oscillation. The measurement of a non-zero value of that phase would provide the first observation for CP violation in the leptonic sector, a mechanism that could play a fundamental role in the understanding of the matter-antimatter asymmetry observed in the Universe.

The data collected so far by the T2K experiment provides the first constrain on the value of the phase, excluding CP conservation at a 90% confidence level. Much larger statistics are however needed to obtain a more precise measurement. The T2K collaboration is planning to start in 2021 a second phase physics program (T2K-2) with higher beam power and an upgraded detector.

The T2K group at CEA contributed to the construction of the T2K near detector, is active in the analysis of near detector data since the beginning of the experiment and it is responsible of the modelling of neutrino-nucleus interactions for the oscillation analysis and for the design of the near detector upgrade.

The selected candidate is expected to work on the neutrino oscillation analysis performed with the forthcoming data as well as on the preparation of the T2K-2 program. The PhD work will focus on the improvement of systematic uncertainties, in particular the ones associated with the modelling of neutrino-nucleus interactions. He or she will also have the opportunity to contribute to the upgrade of the T2K near detector.

The review of applications is now open and will continue until the position is filled. However, priority will be given to applications received before April 30th, 2017. The Ph. D Fellowship is expected to start in September/October 2017. Funded studentships cover three years with allowance of about 1600 euros per month net of taxes plus medical insurance. Additional financial support is provided to cover short-term and long-term travel.

Applicants should send by email their curriculum vitae including courses, grades and previous research activity like internships, a letter of motivation and two letters of reference, in pdf format, to:

A Master Degree in Physics with courses on Particle Physics is required by the time of the Ph.D start.

For more details :
http://www-instn.cea.fr/en/education-and-training/research-training/phd-programs/list-of-thesis-subjects/measurement-of-the-charge-parity-violation-in-neutrino-oscillations,17-0077.html