Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Experimental Particle Physics

About the position

A four-year position as Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Experimental Particle Physics (ATLAS experiment at the CERN’s Large Hadron Collider) is available at the Department of Physics, University of Oslo, within the Norwegian CERN Research Center.

Within the framework of the position, duties may be assigned. Starting date no later than November 1, 2024. Note that it is not possible to be appointed for more than one fixed-term postdoc position at the same institution.

Knowledge development in a changing world - Science and technology towards 2030.

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences

Job description / Project description / Development plan:

The Particle Physics section of the Norwegian Centre for CERN research (NorCC) has an opening for a motivated postdoctoral fellow to join the University of Oslo team involved in the ATLAS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN.

The present ATLAS involvements of the Oslo research group, which are relevant for the postdoctoral position, include searches for new physics, such as dark matter, supersymmetry and other exotic phenomena (new gauge bosons, scalars, heavy neutrinos, excited gravitons). The group is heavily involved in distributed computing, software development and in the ATLAS detector upgrade.

The successful candidate is expected to lead the efforts to expand and enhance searches for new physics. This includes the development of novel AI and other techniques and use of unconventional signatures of new physics processes. They will also be expected to play an important role in the exploitation of Run 3 LHC data, as well as in the computing and software R&D preparation for the High Luminosity period which will begin in the late 2020s. A strong involvement in an ATLAS Combined Performance group is required, especially dealing with muons and missing transverse energy. The share between physics analysis and CP on one hand, and software and computing duties on the other hand, is expected to be roughly 50%-50%.

The successful candidate will become a member of the ATLAS Collaboration and will have the possibility of being a signing author (on completion of a relevant qualification task). Frequent travels to and longer term stays at CERN are to be expected. Emphasis will be on taking part in the operation of the ATLAS experiment and the distributed computing infrastructure, closely working with experts at CERN, and taking up visible positions in some areas of software, computing, physics analysis and combined performance.

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

It is expected that the successful candidate will be able to complete the project in the course of the period of employment.

Qualification requirements:

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education, and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Required qualifications:

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in particle physics and related fields. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defense are eligible for appointment.
• Solid experience in high-energy physics data analysis and excellent programming skills. It is important that the candidate demonstrates sufficient computing and data analysis skills to exploit Run-3 data.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Desired qualifications:

• Knowledge of and experience with machine learning as applied to high energy particle physics.
• Some experience in software development and distributed computing.

Personal skills:

• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Excellent teamwork capabilities, social skills

We offer:

• Salary NOK 575 400 – 657 300 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (position code 1352)
• Attractive welfare benefits and a generous pension agreement
• Professionally stimulating working environment
• Vibrant international academic environment
• Postdoctoral development programmes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities

The application must include:

• Application letter including a summary of academic specialization and statement of scientific interests
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical and administrative experience, and other relevant activities)
• Copies of educational certificates and academic transcript of records
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be particularly considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, please follow the link “apply for this job”. Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University's grading system. Please note that all documents should be in English (or a Scandinavian language). Applications with documents missing will not be considered further. Original documentation may be requested.

Interviews with the best qualified candidates will be arranged.

The research area for the position may include technologies referred to in the Ministry's export control regulations and all candidates will be evaluated in accordance with these regulations.

Formal regulations:

Please see the guidelines and regulations for appointments to Postdoctoral fellowships at the University of Oslo.

If an applicant has applied for and been granted funding for a fulltime research stay abroad while being employed as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow, the employment will be prolonged with the equivalent time as the research stay, but for no longer than of twelve months ( thus extending the employment to a maximum of four years)

No one can be appointed twice as a Postdoctoral fellow financed with funds from The Research Council of Norway (NFR).

According to the Norwegian Freedom and Information Act (Offentleglova) information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure.

The University of Oslo has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

Inclusion and diversity are a strength. The University of Oslo has a personnel policy objective of achieving a balanced gender composition. Furthermore, we want employees with diverse professional expertise, life experience and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps or immigrant background, we will invite at least one applicant from each of these categories to an interview.

Contact persons:

Professor Farid Ould-Saada, Email: Farid.Ould-Saada@fys.uio.no, Telephone: +47 94861474

For questions regarding the recruitment system, please contact HR Adviser Elin Thoresen, e-mail: elin.thoresen@mn.uio.no