Strasbourg, IPHC – Postdoc

Field of Interest: physics, hep-ex
Deadline: 2018-11-30
Country: France

Job description:  Postdoctoral Fellowship in Neutrino Physics
Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC) – CNRS, Strasbourg, France

The Institut Pluridisciplinaire Hubert Curien (IPHC) in Strasbourg invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship position within the newly funded H2020 Design Study: ESSνSB (European Spallation Source neutrino Super Beam).

The candidate is offered the possibility to work in an exciting modern research area and will have opportunities to interact with worldwide experts.

Context: The main objective of the ESSnuSB project is to study the feasibility and the design of a European Super Beam facility based on the ESS proton linac, to observe CP violating in the leptonic sector and measure the relating CP phase. First calculations show that with a neutrino detector placed at the second oscillation maximum, such a facility will have a significantly better physics performance and thus higher potential to discover CP violation as compared to the possibility of locating the far detector at the first maximum. One of the main components of this future facility is the target station producing the neutrino beam. It includes the proton target itself, the hadron collector, the decay tunnel and the beam dump. To reduce the heat-load induced by the 5 MW proton beam power and 14 Hz rate, four targets will be considered in, which will be hit in sequence by the compressed proton pulses, thereby reducing the beam power on each target to 1.25 MW. This represents a considerable challenge for the hadron collector and its power supply.

Work Description: The candidate joining the neutrino group of IPHC/IN2P3 in Strasbourg is expected to work on the design and development of the target station which strongly influence the intensity, the energy and the physics performances of the experiment. In order to optimize the parameters of this system, all the processes have to be simulated from the particle production in target, the propagation and the neutrino interactions inside the detector and extract the corresponding physics performances. More precisely, the goal of this position will be to optimize the horn station using simulations based on codes such as GEANT4/FLUKA. Regular presentations of the different development steps will be necessary, in the presence of specialists on the different topics, in Strasbourg and at other laboratories.

Prerequisites: The candidate must at the beginning of employment have passed a PhD in particle physics or a related area and possibly having experience in targetry research area, preferably, in neutrino physics. Excellent capabilities to perform research shall be demonstrated through publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or at important conferences. Solid knowledge in FLUKA and/or GEANT4 codes is mandatory. We are looking for a candidate with a strong interest in academic research and an interest to collaborate and exchange competences with other physics centers in Europe. Good oral and written proficiency in English is requested, as well as the capacity to work both independently and in a team. The candidate shall take responsibility for the project and possibly assist in student supervision and education, be innovative and have a genuine interest in physics and technology.

Applications shall be submitted in English or French and must include a description of research interests and relevant experience, CV, copies of certificates and diplomas, list of publications and other documents which the applicant wishes to claim. We ask that you clearly identify publications and provide names and contact details of at least two referees and/or attach recommendation letters.

The IPHC of Strasbourg strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the Institute’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Duration: The position is a fixed term position for 2 years with possibility of an additional year extension.

Starting: 1st of February 2019 or on a date mutually agreed upon.

Application deadline: 30 November 2018

Contacts: Ms Marie-Laure Schneider, ESSnuSB Project Assistant, IPHC/CNRS Strasbourg
Email: Marie-Laure.Schneider@iphc.cnrs.fr

ESSnuSB project has received funding from the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 777419.

Contact: Marie-Laure Schneider Email: Marie-Laure.Schneider@iphc.cnrs.fr
Letters of Reference should be sent to: Marie-Laure.Schneider@iphc.cnrs.fr