Open Position PhD Positions on ATLAS Pixel Upgrades and Silicon Detector R&D

IFAE participates in the upgrades of the ATLAS experiment at CERN for the High Luminosity phase of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). The IFAE Pixel group is actively involved in the construction of the High Granularity Timing Detector (HGTD) and the Pixel Detector for the Inner Tracker (ITk).

We work in close collaboration with the near-by National Centre of Micro-electronics (IMB-CNM) to develop state-of-the-art silicon pixel detectors for tracking and precise timing in collider experiments: radiation-hard 3D pixel devices for the innermost layer of the ITk Pixel Detector and ultra-fast sensors with charge multiplication for HGTD. We also perform R&D on Depleted Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (DMAPS) which are partially designed at IFAE. These semiconductor devices have also applications besides particle physics experiments, for example in synchrotron radiation research and in the medical field.

The selected student or students will participate in the development cycle of one or more of these technologies. He/she is expected to contribute to the construction, the testing and the final characterisation of the detectors in the IFAE laboratories. This includes the determination of the electrical properties and the study of the detection performance of new prototypes before and after irradiation using radioactive sources and lasers. In addition, the work foresees travels to accelerator centres such as CERN in Switzerland or DESY in Germany to perform experiments with highly energetic particle beams.

For interested candidates, the possibility of participating in the ATLAS data analysis or in the development of semiconductor devices for medical applications can also be incorporated in the PhD program.

Up to 2 predoctoral positions are offered in this call. The appointments are up to Reading of the PhD (with a maximum of 4 years).

Requirements

A master of science (MSc) or equivalent degree in physics, (electronics) engineering or a related discipline is required to be considered for this position. Knowledge of Linux and strong programming skills (C/C++ or Python) are desirable. Experience in detector R&D or electronics is an advantage. The candidate needs to possess excellent English communication skills.

Interested candidates should send their updated CV, including full list of University Grades, and arrange to have two letters of reference sent to Dr. Stefano Terzo (sterzo@ifae.es ) and/or Prof. Sebastian Grinstein (sgrinstein@ifae.es ). Inquiries can also be done to these addresses. Selected candidates will be contacted for a follow up interview.

This call is part of the project “Advances technologies for the exploration of the Universe and its components”, of the area of Astrophysics and High Energy Physics, within the frame of the R&D&I Complementary Plans of the Spanish Government that are part of the component 17 of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. The contract will be funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU and by the Department of Research and Universities of the Catalan Government.

IFAE is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace and social integration of people with a disability. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. People from groups that are typically underrepresented in the labour market in general and in Science and Engineering in particular, such as women, minorities, or people with a disability, are particularly encouraged to apply. Sending CVs to the email addresses above implies consent to the IFAE legal warning.