Cosmology, Particle Physics and Phenomenology - CP3

The experimental High Energy Physics (HEP) group of the Université catholique de Louvain (UCL) in Louvain- la-Neuve (Belgium) invites applications for up to three 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) and to work in Research and Development programs in HEP instrumentation.

The UCL-HEP group has contributed significantly to the design and construction of the CMS silicon strip tracker and has been deeply involved in its commissioning in view of the start-up of the experiment expected in summer 2008. The group is active in several fields of CMS software and physics data analysis preparation. Areas covered by UCL members include software development for tracker, trigger and particle flow as well as studies performed within the CMS top quark, exotica and forward physics groups. UCL hosts one of the Tier-2 LHC GRID computing centres that will allow CMS data to be processed and analysed. Physics studies are pursued in close collaboration with theoreticians within the Centre for Cosmology, Particle Physics and Phenomenology (CP3) of UCL. A strong MonteCarlo generator (MadGraph/MadEvent) team has resulted from this collaboration. The UCL-HEP group is also involved in Research and Development programs related to possible extensions of the CMS experiment and to the Super-LHC. In particular the group plays a leading role in the proposed extension of the CMS experiment by dedicated very forward proton detectors, including pico-second time of flight counters (FP420 project). Recently the group has also joined the NA62 experiment at the SPS accelerator of CERN.

One position will be given preferentially to candidates interested in working on software activities in the field of data analysis and running of the CMS experiment. Another position will be preferentially given to candidates interested in working either on semiconductor tracking devices for CMS upgrade and NA62 or on the development of ultra fast timing detectors for FP420. Sharing of activities among the selected candidates can be envisaged in order to meet their interests and inclinations.

Applicants must have (or expect to receive soon) a Ph.D. in particle physics or engineering. The selected candidates are expected to be based in Belgium with possibility of extended stays at CERN. Under special conditions one position might be based at CERN. The appointments will start as soon as possible and are initially intended for two years, with possibility of future extensions. These positions are funded by the Belgian network for research in fundamental interactions (www.f-i.be) and are open to candidates of any nationality. Although these positions will remain open until suitable candidates are found, interested persons are encouraged to apply before July 1st 2008 when the first screening of applications will take place.