Post-doctoral Research Associate

A vacancy for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to work on the direct detection of dark matter in the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment has arisen in the Department of Physics, King's College London.

We will welcome the successful candidate into the diverse Experimental Particle and Astroparticle Physics (EPAP) Group, to undertake research investigations in collaboration with members of the EPAP group and the LZ experimental collaboration. We especially encourage applications from female and minority ethnic candidates and other groups who are under-represented in physics.

LZ is the largest LXe-TPC dark matter detector constructed to date and is currently taking data a mile underground in the Sanford Underground Research Laboratory (SURF), USA. It is an exciting time to join the Dark Matter research effort at King's, a leading UK research-intensive university in the heart of London. LZ set world-leading constraints on WIMP Dark Matter in 2022 using an initial 60-live-day dataset, and the experiment is now collecting data towards a total Dark Matter search exposure of 1000 live days by 2025/26 to either make a ground-breaking first discovery of particle dark matter or set world-leading constraints on current dark matter models.

The successful candidate will be supported to make leading contributions to the exploitation of LZ data with a focus on the upcoming SR2 WIMP search through the application of advanced ML techniques, as well as having the opportunity to participate in non-WIMP BSM searches. The role will also involve contributing to on-site and remote operations of the experiment.

Applicants should have, or be about to gain, a PhD in experimental particle/Astro particle physics and have substantial experience of active participation in a particle/Astro particle physics experiment. Whilst, not prerequisites, any of the following are desirable: experience in data analysis for rare event searches (including the application of ML techniques), a good knowledge of C++ and GEANT4, hardware skills and expertise with GUIs or slow control systems.

Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required, this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme.

This post will be offered on a fixed-term contract until the 30th September 2025

This is a full-time post - 100% full-time equivalent