Professor of Silicon Detector Instrumentation for Particle Physics – School of Physics & Astronomy

Job title:

Professor of Silicon Detector Instrumentation for Particle Physics – School of Physics & Astronomy

Company

University of Birmingham

Job description

Job Description:Position DetailsSchool of Physics & AstronomyLocation: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UKProfessorial SalaryFull Time, PermanentClosing date: 14th October 2024BackgroundThe Birmingham Particle Physics group currently has 12 academic staff, 21 postdoctoral researchers and engineers, 35 support staff and 22 research students. It attracts funding of around £3M per year. Our present activities include ATLAS and LHCb at the LHC, NA62 on the CERN SPS, the future Brookhaven Electron Ion Collider, as well as non-accelerator interests in direct Dark Matter searches and long-baseline neutrino experimentsThe School of Physics and Astronomy is a world-leading physics department, excelling in both research and teaching. Our physics research was recently ranked top in the UK for 4-star-category research, and 4th by GPA, by the Research Excellence Framework 2021. The 2013 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Higgs and Englert for their theoretical prediction of the Higgs boson that was discovered in 2012 with strong involvement of the Birmingham team within the ATLAS experiment. The 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Professor Mike Kosterlitz and Professor David Thouless jointly for their work into the discoveries of the properties of matter, work which started when they were at Birmingham together. The 2017 Prize was awarded for the detection of gravitational waves, in which Birmingham staff played a key role. The School is an excellent environment for an upcoming academic.The School’s research portfolio is wide-ranging, and covers three principal themes: Quantum Matter; Particle and Nuclear Physics; and Astronomy and Experimental Gravity. It has over 120 academic and research staff together with 120 graduate students with around 50 technical and clerical support staff.The School of Physics and Astronomy is an Institute of Physics Juno Champion since 2014 and holder of the Athena SWAN Silver Award. Both initiatives recognise the School’s commitment to promote diversity and equality, and to encourage better practice for all members of the community, whilst also working towards developing an equitable working culture in which all students and staff can achieve their full potential. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants, but applications from traditionally under-represented groups in physics and astronomy, such as women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic, are particularly encouraged.Role SummaryThe School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Birmingham (UoB) seeks to appoint an experienced and ambitious academic with a specialisation in silicon tracking detectors, to take the role of Director of the Birmingham Instrumentation Laboratory for Particle physics and Applications (BILPA).The BILPA facility is a 200 m2 suite of well-equipped clean-rooms, supported by further substantial recently refurbished laboratory space. It’s core user team currently includes 2 academics in addition to the appointee, 4 PDRAs, 1 engineer and 4 technicians, with numerous PhD students also engaging. Workstreams include:

• Major construction projects, currently including contributions to the silicon-strip detectors for the ATLAS ITk upgrade at the LHC and recent funding for the MAPS-based silicon vertex tracker for the ePIC detector at the US Electron Ion Collider (EIC).
• Strategic R&D into CMOS sensors and 4D tracking technologies for next generation facilities.
• Projects leading to wider societal impact, for example based on the use of particle tracking detectors for imaging and dosimetry in proton cancer therapy.
• Work towards the creation of a unique facility for radiation-hardness characterisation, based on proton, neutron and X-ray beam facilities in Birmingham.

The successful candidate will be expected to teach in our undergraduate degree programmes, and will contribute towards the School’s administrative activities. Applicants are expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, develop and maintain mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with staff and students, and ensure their role impacts positively on others.Person Specification

• Proven track record of research leadership in detector design, development and construction for particle physics (and potentially wider) applications.
• Expertise in emerging silicon technologies such as radiation hard CMOS sensors and fast timing detectors .
• Proven track record of independently securing funding to support research and collaborations.
• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage research.
• Track record of successfully leading, managing, motivating and mentoring others at all levels.
• Strong written and oral communication in English, with ability to communicate effectively with staff and students in formal and informal settings.

You should make sure to attach the following to your application:

• An academic CV, along with a full publication list.
• A statement of future research plans and objectives in the context of the advertised role (max 2 pages).
• A statement on your teaching approach and experience (max 2 pages); and
• Contact details for three referees.

Further Particulars can be foundFor further information about this post, please contact: Professor Paul Newman ( ).We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone .

Expected salary

Location

United Kingdom

Job date

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 03:14:49 GMT

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