Neutrino Oscillation Study and Proton Decay Search with DUNE

DUNE is a large international project to design, construct and operate a multi-kiloton scale liquid argon detector for neutrino physics, neutrino astrophysics and a search for physics beyond the Standard Model. The detector will be built deep underground at the SURF facility (South Dakota, USA). The particle physics and particle astrophysics (PPPA) group at the University of Sheffield is involved in the DUNE project with various responsibilities in detector construction, modelling and software development. This PhD project will include development of a methodology to search for nucleon decay events and separate them from a much larger background from cosmic-ray muons and atmospheric neutrinos, and development of a technique for DUNE detector calibration using atmospheric muons. The student will also be expected to contribute to the operation, calibration and analysis of data from SBND (Short-Baseline Near Detector) to be operated at Fermilab from 2020. The main goal of SBND is to test some neutrino oscillation anomalies reported by several experiments and search for sterile neutrinos but the analysis of the SBND data will also help to validate developed calibration techniques and particle identification algorithms using real data from SBND. There will be an opportunity to spend 6-12 months at Fermilab and participate in SBND operation. The candidate should have a good knowledge of particle physics and programming skills.


Science Graduate School:
As a PhD student in one of the science departments at the University of Sheffield, you’ll be part of the Science Graduate School – a community of postgraduate researchers working across biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics and psychology. You’ll get access to training opportunities designed to support your career development by helping you gain professional skills that are essential in all areas of science. You’ll be able to learn how to recognise good research and research behaviour, improve your communication abilities and experience technologies that are used in academia, industry and many related careers. Visit www.sheffield.ac.uk/sgs to learn more.