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PhD Research Fellow in Experimental Subatomic Physics

There is a vacancy for a PhD Research Fellow in Experimental subatomic physics at the Department of Physics and Technology (IFT). The position is for a fixed-term period of 3 years with the possibility of a 4th year with career-promoting work (e.g. teaching at the Department). The position is funded by the Department of Physics and Technology in support of NORCC, the Norwegian Center for CERN-related research. 

About the project/work tasks:

The group for subatomic physics participates in two experiments at CERN's LHC, ATLAS and ALICE.

In ATLAS the group is involved in searches for supersymmetry and other signatures of Dark Matter as well as studies of the CP properties of the Higgs boson. The group focuses on final states containing several tau-leptons.  The analysis activity is now extended to include generic anomaly searches using Machine Learning. Furthermore, the group takes part in ATLAS upgrade, with participation in the ITk-Pixels project, with responsibilities concerning testing and delivery of pixel modules for the ITk (ATLAS Inner Tracker).

Within the ALICE group there has been a long-standing involvement within studies of ultra-peripheral collisions, where the group has developed one of the leading simulation tools (called 'STARLIGHT') and has been involved in several studies of two-photon and photonuclear interactions using ALICE data. Many of the physics analyses include studies of charmonium (a bound state of a c and anti-c quark). The group is also strongly involved in upgrade projects for ALICE.   

The position will be related to either the ATLAS or the ALICE group at IFT. It is expected that the selected candidate participates actively in activities of one of these experiments. Visits or short stays at CERN will be a natural part of the work that the candidate commits to.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

• Applicants must hold a master's degree or equivalent education in high energy physics or must have submitted his/her master's thesis for assessment prior to the application deadline. It is a condition of employment that the master's degree has been awarded.
• Computer programming experience using languages such as for example Python or C++ is a requirement.
• It is an advantage with a master’s degree related to ALICE or ATLAS.
• Experience from working with a modern experiment within subatomic physics is an advantage.
• Applicants must be able to work independently and in a structured manner and demonstrate good collaborative skills.
• Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English
• Good command of the Norwegian language is an advantage in view of possible teaching assignments.

Personal and relational qualities will be emphasized. Research experience, ambitions and potential will also count when evaluating the candidates.

Special requirements for the position 
The University of Bergen is subjected to the regulation for export control system. The regulation will be applied in the processing of the applications. 

About the PhD position:

About the PhD Research Fellow position
The fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with the possibility for a 4th year contingent on the qualifications of the candidate and the teaching needs of the department and will be decided by the Head of department upon appointment. If a 4th year is granted, one year of career-promoting work associated with teaching, dissemination or research infrastructure/services, will be distributed over the full employment period and thus corresponding to 25 per cent of the time each year.

The employment period may be reduced if you have previously been employed in a qualifying post (e.g. research fellow, research assistant).

About the research training
As a PhD Research Fellow, you must participate in an approved educational programme for a PhD degree within a period of 3 years. The deadline for applying for admission to the PhD programme at The Faculty of Science and Technology is 2 months after you start your position or after the start of the research project that will lead to the PhD degree. It is a condition that you satisfy the enrolment requirements for the PhD programme at the University of Bergen.

We can offer:

• a good and professionally stimulating working environment
• salary as PhD research fellow (code 1017) in the state salary scale. This constitutes a gross annual salary of NOK  568 700. Further increases in salary are made according to length of service in the position.
• enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
• good welfare benefits

Your application must include:

• a brief account of your research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• the names and contact information for two referees. One of these should be the main advisor for the master's thesis or equivalent thesis.
• CV
• Transcripts and diplomas showing completion of the bachelor's and master's degrees. If you have not yet completed your master's degree, please submit a statement from your institution confirming that the master's thesis has been submitted. 
• relevant certificates/references
• approved documentation of proficiency in English (if required, cf. English language requirements for PhD admission)
• a list of any works of a scientific nature (publication list with links)

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.

General information:

For further details about the position, please contact 

professor Anna Lipniacka, Anna.Lipniacka@uib.no (ATLAS) or professor Joakim Nystrand, Joakim.Nystrand@uib.no (ALICE) 

For HR related questions contact adviser Thea Thingnes, thea.thingnes@uib.no 

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

The successful applicant must comply with the guidelines that apply to the position at all times.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.

Life as a PhD candidate at UiB

Marion Claireaux tells about life and work as a PhD candidate at UiB.