Doctoral students in CMS Data analysis and experimental physics instrumentation, doctoral education pilot (2 positions)

The Department of Physics at the LUT School of Engineering Science is looking for two junior researchers in physics. The positions are part of the national Graduate School in Particle and Nuclear Physics, jointly run by LUT University, the University of Helsinki, and the University of Jyväskylä. 

One of the positions will focus on instrumentation, including readout electronics and control systems, and the other will focus on CMS data analysis. The positions are funded through the doctoral education pilot programme of the Ministry of Education and Culture. 

Experimental Particle Physics Instrumentation

The group focuses on the CMS experiment at CERN and has been contributing to the tracker and muon sub-detectors of CMS. Detectors based on similar technology can also be used in other fields, such as medical imaging, beam characterization, and nuclear safety and safeguards. We strive to apply the technologies we have mastered not only to fundamental research but also to a larger context benefiting society.

The junior researcher’s doctoral dissertation may deal with topics such as gamma-ray spectrometry for soil mapping, position-sensitive scintillator detectors for gamma- and X-ray imaging and spectroscopy, semiconductor reliability studies for the new centre of excellence at LUT, and feasibility studies towards electrification.

CMS Data Analysis

The group contributes to the analysis of data from the CMS experiment and the development of analysis tools and software. It is an integral part of the joint Finnish CMS programme, which has leading expertise in jet calibration and hadronic final states in general. The programme has received an ERC grant for jet energy corrections and RCF funding for the ForVVard project on probing electroweak symmetry breaking through the study of vector boson scattering. It is also part of the SMARTHEP network for real-time data analysis.

Potential doctoral research topics for this position include expanding the ForVVard analysis of VBS events, enhancing jet calibration techniques, exploring new applications for real-time data analysis in particle physics, or leveraging quantum computing methods to address challenges in high-energy physics.

What we expect

• A university master’s degree in a relevant field
• Excellent English communication skills 
• Prior knowledge of particle physics and/or instrumentation, ideally in the form of a master’s thesis project
• Experience in computer programming and modern machine learning approaches or knowledge of semiconductors and electronics, depending on the position

We also require the ability to complete the doctoral degree within the normative duration of the studies for the degree and a right to complete doctoral studies at LUT University. Junior researchers need to obtain the right to complete doctoral studies at LUT within the first three months of their employment relationship.

Employment relationship and compensation

The positions are associated with LUT’s Lappeenranta or Lahti campus with the possibility of using facilities at the Helsinki Institute of Physics. The work will start between October 2024 and January 2025. The employment relationship is fixed-term with a six-month trial period. 

The junior researcher position will be available initially for one year and can be extended by three years, provided that the studies have progressed as expected. The salary is based on the current collective agreement for Finnish universities. The typical gross annual starting salary for a junior researcher is approximately 32 500 euros.

What we offer

In addition to a competitive salary, the wide range of benefits that come with the job include a holiday bonus, generous annual leave, a research incentive scheme with personal rewards for high-quality publications, flexible working hours, occupational health care, a collegial working environment, an opportunity for international academic collaboration, and continued commitment to your support, learning, training, and development. 

Applications

One of the positions will be filled immediately, but we will keep accepting applications until both positions are filled. To ensure full consideration, apply by 15 October 2024 at midnight, Finnish local time (UTC +3h). 

Please fill out the online application form and attach the following documents in English and in PDF format: 

• A motivation letter describing why you are interested in these positions and how you are qualified (max. 2 pages)
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of publications (if any), and a link to a public github page (or similar concrete examples of your previous work)
• An example of independently authored written analytical text (e.g., master’s thesis or bachelor's thesis).
• A copy of your academic degree certificate and transcript of records; if the original documents are not in English, Finnish, or Swedish, each document must be accompanied by an official certified translation into English or Finnish.

In addition, we recommend you arrange for two reference letters to be sent to lut-cms-recruitment(at)cern.ch. You may also use that address to inquire for more details on both positions.

Further information

• Professor Panja Luukka, +358 40 072 2211, firstname.lastname@lut.fi
• Professor Henning Kirschenmann, +358 50 524 5662, firstname.lastname@lut.fi

You can also reach both professors directly by emailing lut-cms-recruitment(at)cern.ch.

Read more about LUT as an employer.

Read more about the information for international staff. 

Read more about LUT Doctoral School.  

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Technical support for using the recruitment system: recruitment@lut.fi.