Experimental Particle Physics - Postdoc at NIKHEF, Amsterdam

The Nikhef ATLAS group has an opening for a

Postdoctoral Researcher in Experimental Particle Physics - ATLAS

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. Among the research collaborations Nikhef participates in are 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 and the Pierre Auger cosmic rays observatory in Argentina. Nikhef also hosts well staffed theoretical physics and detector R&D groups. Nikhef itself is a collaboration between 5 major Dutch universities and the Dutch Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter (FOM).

The Nikhef ATLAS group consists of groups in Amsterdam and Nijmegen, for a total of 13 staff, and typically 5 postdocs and 15 PhD students. We have constructed part of the semiconductor tracker (SCT), part of the barrel muon chambers, and elements of muon chamber readout, alignment, slow control, trigger and data acquisition.  Our group has responsibilities in trigger and muon reconstruction software and we have been active in several analyses in Higgs, SUSY, Exotic and top physics.

The Position

We are looking for a candidate to take a leading role in physics analyses in the area of lepton flavor violation using ATLAS Run 2 data as well as to assist in designing and improving the trigger (software or hardware levels) for Run 3. Both directions are challenging topics that require new inventions and developments. The assistance in supervision of PhD students is expected.  After a first three to six months in Amsterdam, the successful candidate will be based at CERN.

Requirements

The position as postdoctoral researcher requires a PhD in Physics, candidates who are close to finishing their PhD thesis are also encouraged to apply. The extensive experience in both data analysis and software development for particle physics experiments is required. The familiarity with algorithm development, OO design and programming in C++ and python is an asset. The candidate is expected to have good communication skills and be able to work in an international team.

Offer

The position is for two to three years. The candidate will be employed by the NWO-I foundation and will obtain the status of postdoctoral researcher. You will receive a competitive salary, and a long-term stay at CERN is possible. The conditions of employment are excellent and include extra months' salary payment in May and December and good travel facilities. The conditions of employment of the NWO-I-foundation can be found at www.nwo-i.nl.

Information and Application

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by visiting https://www.nikhef.nl/en/vacancies/, select the vacancy named "Postdoctoral Researcher in experimental particle physics - ATLAS"
and follow the application procedure using the 'Apply Now' button.

Please be prepared to upload curriculum vitae including a brief description of your research interests, and have the email addresses of at least three referents ready, who are willing to send a letter of recommendation on your behalf.

Further information on this position can be obtained from Prof. Dr. Olga Igonkina (olya@nikhef.nl) or Prof. Dr. Wouter Verkerke (verkerke@nikhef.nl).

The opening closes on Monday the 16th of October 2017. All letters of recommendation should be received by Wednesday October 18. Interviews of selected candidates are foreseen in the first weeks of November.