Cosmology, Particle Physics and Phenomenology - CP3

The experimental high energy physics group of the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) in Louvain-la-Neuve (Belgium) invites applications for two positions at the post-doctoral level to join its efforts in data analysis and running of the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

UCL has contributed significantly to the design and construction of the CMS silicon strip tracker and has been deeply involved in its commissioning before and after the LHC start-up. UCL is currently active in CMS physics data analysis and related physics object software development within the electroweak, exotica, Higgs, top quark, forward, simulation, muon and tracking physics groups. UCL hosts one of the Tier-2 centres of the LHC computing GRID that allows CMS data to be processed and analyzed. Physics studies are pursued in close collaboration with theoreticians within the Centre for Cosmology, Particle Physics and Phenomenology (CP3, http://cp3.irmp.ucl.ac.be/) of UCL. A strong Monte Carlo generator (MadGraph/MadEvent) team has resulted from this collaboration. The group is also involved in the NA62 experiment at CERN as well as in research and development programs related to possible extensions of the CMS experiment and to the Super-LHC.

The two open positions are in the following areas:

• Searches for new physics involving top quarks or fourth generation quarks within the CMS exotica group. The use of a fully automatic matrix element reweighting technique, a novel tool developed at UCL, is envisaged. The subject may change depending on the outcome of the LHC 2011 run. Contact person: Giacomo Bruno.
• Searches for scalar bosons and/or exotic particles producing in the final states two leptons and two b jets (with or without missing transverse energy). The aim is to exploit the strong involvement of the UCL-CP3 group in the Z bb cross section measurement and extend the analyses to new searches by exploiting the fully automatic matrix element method developed at UCL. Contact person: Vincent Lemaitre.

Applicants must have (or expect to receive soon) a Ph.D. in particle physics. The selected candidates are expected to be based in Belgium with possibility of extended stays at CERN. Appointments are for three years with possibility of future extensions depending on availability of funds. They are open to candidates of any nationality. Although the positions will remain open until suitable candidates are found, interested persons are encouraged to apply before 18 December 2011, when the first application screening will take place. Applications, including curriculum vitae, a list of publications and at least two letters of recommendation should be submitted online.