PhD Studentship in SNO+ neutrinoless double beta decay (2017)
The University of Sussex Experimental Particle Physics group plays a critically important role in a number of experiments at the frontiers of our knowledge of particle physics, with main involvement in: the ATLAS experiment and its upgrades at the CERN Large Hadron Collider, the SNO+ neutrinoless double beta decay experiment at SNOLAB (Canada), the NOvA and DUNE neutrino oscillation experiments at Fermilab (USA), and the Neutron EDM experiment at PSI (Switzerland).
We are presently offering a fully funded studentship for a project on one of these experiments available to UK and EU nationals for a September 2017 start. Funded studentships cover a tax free bursary (£14,296 per annum in 2016/17) and home/EU fees for 3.5 years. Additional financial support is provided to cover short-term and long-term travel.
The SNO+ group at Sussex leads the overall calibration effort and is actively involved in several analysis groups: neutrinoless double-beta decay, supernova neutrinos, reactor neutrinos, as well as exotic physics searches in the water phase. The SNO+ experiment consists of three phases: a short six month water phase, followed by a similar length phase where the detector will be filled with pure liquid scintillator. These two phases are crucial to the calibration of the detector, but also present unique physics opportunities. After this, the main phase of SNO+ will start, where the scintillator is loaded with the double-beta decay element to search for neutrinoless double-beta decay. Observation of this process will give us unique insight in the fundamental properties of the neutrino particle. The successful candidate is expected to start during an exciting time: in the transition between water and pure scintillator, and will be expected to focus on the neutrinoless double-beta decay search. At the same time, he/she will spend a significant amount of time on the calibration of the experiment. This will put him/her in an ideal position to lead the analysis and optimise the detector's sensitivity to the possible discovery of neutrinoless double-beta decay. (Supervisor: Dr. Simon Peeters, s.j.m.peeters@sussex.ac.uk)
What you get
£14296 (2016-17) per annum tax-free bursary and waiver of UK/EU fees each year for 3.5 years. Full-time study
Type of award
Postgraduate Research
Eligibility
You should have a physics or related degree.
In order to qualify for this position you must have resided in the UK or Europe for three years prior to the start of the position. If you are based in the EU, please read the University's statement for applicants on fees for EU students as a result of the British vote to leave the EU.
If you are from outside Europe, you may apply for a non-funded position in the group, however, you will need to have a funding source for tuition fees and living expenses
Deadline
1 September 2017 23:59How to apply
Apply through the Sussex on-line system
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/pg/applying
State in the Funding Information section of the application form that you would like to apply for this studentship, giving the title of the project as above.
Applications should include a CV, as well as transcripts of marks obtained on your degree(s) and the names and contact details of two academic referees. Please also include an overview of why you are suitable for this position and your reasons for applying.
Sponsors
This is a full-time studentship. With agreement of the supervisor the student may take on a limited amount of teaching, for which additional payment will be made.
The award includes an additional training grant of £1650 p.a. for short courses, books, travel, conferences etc.
The Experimental Particle Physics Group research webpages can be found here:
Contact us
Informal enquiries should be send to Dr Clark Griffith
Enquiries about your eligibility, the progress of your application and admission to Sussex, should be sent to Rebecca Foster
Timetable
Early application is advised. The studentship will be allocated as soon as a suitable candidate is found.
Start date at Sussex: 21st September 2017
First payment of the award bursary: 1st October 2017
Availability
At level(s):
PG (research)
Application deadline:
1 September 2017 23:59 (GMT)
the deadline has now expired