Research Associate on the DarkSide-20k Dark Matter Experiment

UKRI; East Hagbourne; On-site; GBP 56,000 - 57,000

Job description

Salary: Band E £56,509 per annum
Hours: Full time
Benefits: 30 days holiday + 8 bank holidays + 2.5 privilege days + exceptional average salary pension + excellent work life balance
Contract type: 3-Year Fixed Term Contract
Location: STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
Closing date for applications: Monday 24th February 2025

Applications are invited for a Research Associate position in Experimental Particle Physics to work on novel background mitigation techniques and dark matter search analyses on the DarkSide-20k experiment, within the Particle Physics Department (PPD) at the STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL). The post will initially be for three years.

PPD is one of the largest Particle Physics (PP) groups in the UK and contributes to all major PP experiments in the UK. Since 2019, RAL has been involved with the DarkSide-20k experiment, the flagship global liquid argon (LAr) direct dark matter detection experiment. The 50-tonne detector is under construction at the LNGS laboratory, in Gran Sasso, Italy, and will reach more than an order of magnitude increase in the sensitivity over current searches for dark matter particles with masses at the TeV scale. This goal is realised with low-radioactivity, low-noise silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) sensor and readout technology, custom designed for DarkSide-20k, and a comprehensive background mitigation strategy. The exciting potential of argon is established by the predecessor DarkSide-50 experiment, which currently holds world-leading sensitivity for several low-mass dark matter candidates. With a factor of 3 times higher photon detection efficiency from its SiPMs, and in a target 1000 times larger, DarkSide-20k also has potential for unprecedented sensitivity to low-mass dark matter candidates. The successful applicant will take a leading role in establishing crucial background mitigation strategies for DarkSide-20k, through leveraging the novel SiPM technology and the data acquisition (DAQ) system. The successful applicant will also directly contribute to the search for both high-mass and low-mass dark matter candidates, where they will build skills in a broad range of DarkSide-20k physics, simulation and reconstruction, and statistical inference topics.

In addition to the research on DarkSide-20k, the successful applicant will have the opportunity to get involved with the QUEST-DMC experiment, another liquid noble gas direct detection experiment that, analogous to DarkSide-20k, searches for dark matter particle scattering interactions. Instead of liquid argon, QUEST-DMC employs a small volume of superfluid Helium-3 as its target medium. This gives the applicant the chance to collaborate on two different dark matter experiments, where they can enhance both their scientific and professional portfolios.

The applicant must have or be about to receive a Ph.D. in Particle Physics or a similar field. Applications should consist of a CV and a covering letter explaining why the candidate is suited to this position and the names and addresses of three referees. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Dr. Ashlea Kemp ([e-mail]).

Candidate Specification
To apply for this role, we are looking for the following:

1. Essential
   • Ph.D. in Particle Physics or similar qualification (S)
   • At least 3 years of postdoctoral experience in particle physics experiments, or equivalent (S&I)
   • Proficient in C++ and/or Python (S&I)
   • Demonstrable experience with Monte Carlo simulations and/or data analysis techniques (S&I)
   • Demonstrable experience in calibration and/or particle identification techniques (S&I)
   • Track record of original research (S&I)
   • Ability to work independently (I)
   • Experience of supervision (i.e., students), even if limited (S&I)
   • High degree of self-motivation (I)
   • Ability to work on several activities in parallel (S&I)
   • Fluent English (S&I)
   • Ability to work collaboratively with large groups of people from a range of different countries (S&I)
   • Good communication skills (I)
   • Ability and willingness to acquire required knowledge (I)
2. Desirable
   • Experience of working on rare-event, low background experiments (S&I)
   • Experience of working on liquid noble gas dark matter experiments (S&I)
   • Expertise in data acquisition (DAQ) systems (S&I)
   • Expertise in liquid argon microphysics (S&I)
   • Expertise in Silicon Photomultiplier (SiPM) sensors (S&I)
   • Experience in background modelling, systematic error propagation, and statistical inference techniques for dark matter experiments (S&I)

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

The STFC is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake ground-breaking projects in an outstanding diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving progressive advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/

How to apply

Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.