Silicon Sensor Particle Detectors for the Upgrade of the ATLAS Experiment at the CERN LHC.

A position is open for an enthusiastic particle physics PhD student to conduct research in developing silicon sensor technologies in use at the energy frontier at the ATLAS experiment. A series of upgrades to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) accelerator complex are planned by CERN, the last of which is dubbed the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) and is expected to begin collecting data in 2029. In order to meet the challenges associated with this upgrade, ATLAS will undergo extensive modifications. This project will focus on the construction of detector modules for the new all-silicon Inner Tracking detector (ITk), part of which is being built in the University of Sheffield Semiconductor Detector Development Facility.  

The PhD project will involve practical work in the lab and the analysis of data taken with the silicon sensor modules but also the interpretation of results and design of new experiments. Travel to larger research facilities (Diamond, DESY, CERN) to take test data or conduct other investigations is foreseen. The PhD will prepare equally well for a career in industry and academia.

The project is open to home and international candidates but international students may need to secure funding to pay fees and living expenses.