Open Position Research positions for the Atlas Pixel group within the framework of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan – Funded by the European Union – Next Generation

About IFAE

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is a public consortium of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Autonomous Government of Catalonia, and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB, a public university) whose main objective is to carry out research and to contribute to the development of high energy physics from a theoretical, experimental and technological point of view. IFAE has the status of a “University Institute" attached to the UAB and its premises are within the campus of the University.

About Atlas Pixel group

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 and ultra-fast sensors with charge multiplication. We also perform R&D on Depleted Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (DMAPS) which are partially designed at IFAE. These semiconductor devices also have applications besides particle physics experiments, for example in synchrotron radiation research and in the medical field.

Required skills and evaluation criteria

The successful candidate will be expected to have:

• A Master of Science (MSc) or equivalent degree in physics, (electronic) 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.

The evaluation criteria and their weighting for the submitted applications will be the following:

• Scientific excellence based on the CV and recommendation letters: 50 points.
• Previous experience: 50 points.

The successful candidate is expected to engage in a PhD program at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).

What will be your role?

The successful candidate will 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 the new particle detector 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.

Offered contract:

Up to two positions a full-time (40 hours per week), with a temporary contract Recovery Plan linked to the project “Advances technologies for the exploration of the Universe and its components, of the area of Astrophysics and High Energy Physics” (Line 1: Cut edge instrumentation development for future Nuclear and Particle Physics experiments), within the framework of the R+D+I Complementary Plans of the Spanish Government.

There will be a trial period of 6 months. Flexible schedule. Work with interesting experimental science. Travelling to scientific singular infrastructures. Opportunity to gain experience learning first-hand. Personal growth, innovation, and learning every day. The position will correspond to “Tècnic de Recerca” within the IFAE professional categories. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range.

Application and Selection process:

Applications should be submitted to Dr. Stefano Terzo (sterzo@ifae.es ) and/or Prof. Sebastian Grinstein (sgrinstein@ifae.es ) stating the job reference (IFAE2023/31_ATLAS_PIXELS) as the subject of the message. The mail should include their updated CV, including a full list of University grades, and arrange to have two letters of reference. Sending CVs to the above addresses implies consent to the IFAE’s legal warning on data privacy.
The application must contain a personal identification number (DNI, NIE or passport) in order to proceed to the verification of absence of conflict of interest required by Recovery and Resilience Mechanism of the Spanish 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. A Selection Committee will evaluate the received applications. If more than one candidate seems equally suitable for the position, the Selection Committee will arrange an on-line interview with each one of them as part of the Selection process.
In compliance with article 121 of the Spanish Public Sector Legal Regime Act, staff with a pre-existing relationship with the Consortium administration (Generalitat de Catalunya and Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) will have priority in the awarding of the position. You may contact Dr. Stefano Terzo (sterzo@ifae.es ) and/or Prof. Sebastian Grinstein (sgrinstein@ifae.es ) for any questions related to this job opening.

Funding Statement

This contract 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 component 17 of the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism. This contract is funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU (MICINN/PRTR funds) and by Generalitat de Catalunya.