Postdoctoral fellow in Particle Physics on the ALICE experiment at CERN - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Work duties
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN is the world’s most powerful accelerator. The ALICE experiment (http://alice-collaboration.web.cern.ch/) is the dedicated heavy-ion detector to exploit the unique physics potential of nucleus-nucleus interactions at LHC energies. Our aim is to study the physics of strongly interacting matter at extreme energy densities, where the formation of a new phase of matter, the quark-gluon plasma (QGP), is expected. The existence of such a phase, and its properties are key issues in QCD. For this purpose, we are carrying out a comprehensive study of particles (mainly hadrons) produced in the collision of heavy nuclei. ALICE is also studying proton-proton (pp) collisions both as a comparison with lead-lead (Pb-Pb) collisions and in physics areas where ALICE is competitive with other LHC experiments.

A particularly hot topic is to what degree the same type of physics (QGP?) can be found in small (pp) and large (Pb-Pb) collisional systems. This question is central for the position as the successful applicant will join the CLASH project (https://www.hep.lu.se/clash/), which has the overarching goal of pinning down the origin of collective effects in small collisional systems. CLASH is a joint project with physicists at the division of Theoretical High Energy Physics so there will be an opportunity to actively collaborate with theorists.

The Lund ALICE group currently has 3 senior members: Peter Christiansen, Alice Ohlson and David Silvermyr, two postdocs, active emeritus professors, and 3 PhD students. We are looking for one Post-doctoral fellow to join us in this research. The successful candidate will work on analysis of ALICE data, in particular of the central barrel with the main tracking detector, the Time Projection Chamber (TPC). The main topic of the position will be the search for jet quenching in small collisional systems and the application must therefore include a research plan that shows the applicant's own ideas for how to carry out such a study. In addition to that, the successful candidate is expected to be involved in other activities related to the CLASH project and service work related to the calibration and commissioning of the ALICE TPC will be required.

The successful candidate would have the possibility to help with supervising Master students. The research activities are located at the Department of Physics at Lund University. Frequent visits to CERN will likely be required.

Qualification requirements
Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position, completed no more than three years before the last date for applications. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Good knowledge in spoken and written English is a requirement.

Assessment criteria and other qualifications
Prior experience in detector and analysis work in particle physics, collaborative skills in order to work in a large collaboration and scholarly proficiency are the main requirements for employment. Programming skills in C++ are of relevance for this position. Applicants must show a high degree of research expertise as manifested in the quality of their PhD dissertation, publications and other work.

In addition to the above, the following set of criteria will be applied in the assessment of candidates:

• Relevance and viability of the research plan
• International experience
• Results and distinctions that attest to the applicant's ability to do research
• Ability to engage in activities that inform society at large about research

Evaluation of the applicants will take their experience, expertise, proposed project and relevant personal qualities into consideration. The applicant's ability to use their skills and experience to strengthen and supplement existing research activities within the Lund ALICE group will also be considered in the assessment.

Terms of employment

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of a maximum of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”) between Lund University, SACO-S, OFR/S and SEKO, dated 4 September 2008.

Application procedure
Please apply online via Lund University’s recruitment system (see link below). All documents (except reference-letters, see below) are to be uploaded in the recruitment system as pdf, Word or similar files. Applicants are also required to answer job specific questions in the first step of the application process.

Applications must include the following and can be considered incomplete and not possible to evaluate otherwise:

• A short cover letter, max 1 page, describing your interest in this position.
• A short research plan, 1-2 pages, that describes how you would conduct a measurement to search for jet quenching/modifications in small collisional systems.
• A CV with copies of PhD and exam certificates.
• A list of up to 10 relevant publications, stating the candidate’s contribution
• A list with three referees.
• Other documents the applicant wishes to put forward.

Information
Please attach necessary documents and attachments according to the application instructions for this employment (i.e. PhD thesis, publications, manuscript or similar)? Please note that publications etc. must be attached as PDF’s or similar. Documents accessible through links, such as DOI's, are not accepted.