PhD studentship on BSM contributions to processes with top and bottom quarks in ATLAS (2020)

What you get

You will receive:

• fully funded tuition fees for 3.5 years (at the UK/EU rate)
• a tax-free bursary for living costs for 3.5 years. For 2019/20 this is £15,009 per annum.
• funds for computing, books, open access publishing, attendance at conferences and workshops.

You may also supplement your income with paid teaching (with your supervisor’s agreement).

Type of award

Postgraduate Research

PhD project

Lacking clear signals of physics beyond the Standard Model, it is crucial to investigate whether small BSM physics contributions may affect either rare or kinematically difficult Standard Model processes. Focusing mainly on the associated production of top and bottom quarks with vector bosons or missing transverse momentum from the production of invisible dark matter particles, the candidate will develop a strategy to use search techniques together with  inclusive and differential cross section measurements sensitive to different BSM processes, also using the framework of Standard Model Effective Field Theories. Given the current limits, advanced analysis techniques, possibly involving the use of machine learning techniques, will have to be explored. The ATLAS-Sussex group has a remarkable track record in investigating new physics connected with third generation quarks, in particular in the area of supersymmetry and dark matter production. The group has also had significant contributions in all measurements of ttZ production in three-lepton final states performed so far in ATLAS: profiting from this, the candidate will be ideally positioned to make a large impact in this sector, also through close contact with CERN-based experts

 

Funding is available to UK and EU nationals for a September 2020 start.  Funded studentships cover a tax-free bursary (£15,009 per annum in 2019/20) and home/EU fees for 3.5 years. Additional financial support is provided to cover short-term and long-term travel. Interviews of shortlisted candidates will be held in February and March. We also welcome applications from self-funded non-EU students interested in our experimental programme.

Eligibility

To be eligible, you must:

• be a UK/European Union (EU) student.
• have (or expect to achieve) a First or Upper Second Class Masters degree in Physics, or a related subject.
• Meet the English langugage requirement as detailed here: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/degrees/physics-phd 

• We also welcome applications from self-funded non-EU students interested in our experimental programme.

Deadline

29 February 2020 0:00

How to apply

Apply through the postgraduate application system and select the full time PhD in Physics with a September 2020 start date

Applications will be considered until the position has been filled.

When you apply, you should include:

• the supervisor’s name (Prof Iacopo Vivarelli) in the ‘Suggested supervisor’ section
• 'PhD Studentship on BSM contributions to processes with top and bottom quarks in ATLAS' in the Award Detail Section
• a research proposal/personal statement which describes your suitability for the project
• 2 academic references
• your transcripts from any previously obtained degrees. If you have not yet completed your undergraduate degree, you can provide an interim transcript or record of any marks obtained so far.

The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found so you are encouraged to apply as soon as you are able to. 

Due to the high volume of applications received, you may only hear from us if your application is successful.

Contact us

For more details about the project, please contact Prof. Iacopo Vivarelli: I.Vivarelli@sussex.ac.uk).

For practical questions about applications and/or eligibility for funding, please contact mpsresearchsupport@sussex.ac.uk

For academic questions please contact the coordinator of EPP PhD admissions, Dr. W. Clark Griffith: W.C.Griffith@sussex.ac.uk

Applications: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/pgapplication.