Open Position 2 PhD Position in ATLAS PIXELS Group

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 the Atlas Pixels Group

IFAE is participating in the modernization of the ATLAS experiment at CERN for the High-Luminosity phase of the Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC). The IFAE Pixels 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 nearby National Center of Microelectronics (IMB-CNM) to develop state-of-the-art silicon pixel detectors for precise tracking and timing in collider experiments: radiation-hard 3D pixel devices and ultrafast sensors with charge multiplication. We also carry out R&D on Depleted Monolithic Active Pixel Sensors (DMAPS), partially designed at IFAE. These semiconductor devices also have applications beyond particle physics experiments, for example in synchrotron radiation research and in the medical field.

What will be your role?

The selected candidates will participate in the construction of modules for the HGTD and ITk ATLAS sub-detector systems in the IFAE laboratories. This work includes the assembly of microelectronic devices in the IFAE clean rooms and the electrical characterization of different types of modules using various DAQ systems. The candidates will also determine the module performance before and after irradiation using radioactive sources and lasers. Finally, the completed modules will be loaded into full detector units for the HGTD project. In addition, the work involves travel to accelerator facilities such as CERN in Switzerland or DESY in Germany to carry out experiments with high-energy particle beams.

Required skills and evaluation criteria

The selected candidate is expected to have:

• A Master of Science (MSc) degree or an equivalent qualification in physics, engineering (electronics), or a related discipline is required for consideration for this position.
• Knowledge of Linux and strong programming skills (C/C++ or Python) are desirable.
• Experience in detector or electronics R&D is an advantage.
• The candidate must have excellent communication skills in English.

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

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

Offered contract

• Full-time Contract (40 h/week)
• Predoctoral contract.
• The position will correspond to a Predoctoral Researcher.
• Salary will be proportional to experience and qualifications within the corresponding category range.
• Work with interesting experimental science. Opportunity to gain first-hand learning experience. Personal growth, innovation and learning every day.

Application and Selection process

Applications should be submitted to Dr. Sebastian Grinstein sgrinstein@ifae.es and rrhh@ifae.es stating the job reference (2025/60_ATLAS PIXELS_2 PhDStudent) as the subject of the message. The mail should include an updated CV.

For further information please contact: Dr. Sebastian Grinstein sgrinstein@ifae.es

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.

Funding Statement