About the Project
A fully funded studentship on the SNO+ experiment is available to UK and EU nationals for a September 2017 start.
The University of Sussex Experimental Particle Physics group plays a critically important role in a number of experiments at the frontiers of our knowledge of particle physics, with main involvement in: the ATLAS experiment and its upgrades at the CERN Large Hadron Collider, the SNO+ neutrinoless double beta decay experiment at SNOLAB (Canada), the NOvA and DUNE neutrino oscillation experiments at Fermilab (USA), and the Neutron EDM experiment at PSI (Switzerland).
Applications are invited from talented and creative students for a PhD place in Experimental Particle Physics at the University of Sussex on the DUNE experiment, with an emphasis on supernova searches. The ideal applicant is a keen programmer with an interest in the more technical aspects of the experiment. DUNE will accurately measure neutrino oscillations using a beam from Fermilab, at 1300 km distance. With a 40 ktonne sensitive volume of liquid argon, DUNE also has a unique sensitivity to neutrinos from supernovae within our galaxy. The observation of such an event would provide a unique view of supernovae as well as provide important information on the properties of neutrinos. To make optimal use of this, our group is involved in the design of the trigger for supernovas, which drives the overall design of the data acquisition system. With DUNE you will have the opportunity to help design and build the experiment for the future, as well as be involved in physics studies of neutrinos from supernovae. The project is likely to involve spending an extended period at Fermilab.
Award Amount
The studentship includes a tax-free bursary (£14,553 per annum in 2017/18) and home/EU fees for 3.5 years, as well as funding for research training and travel.
Eligibility
Applicants should hold, or expect to hold, a UK undergraduate degree in physics or a related subject. Due to funding restrictions, the studentship is open to UK and EU resident students only. We also welcome applications from self-funded non-EU students
Procedure
Online applications at: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply. Note that in order to qualify for this position you must have resided in the UK for three years prior to the start of the position.
Timetable
Early application is advised. The studentship will be allocated as soon as a suitable candidate is found.
Start date at Sussex: September 2017
Further information
This is a full-time studentship. With agreement of the supervisor the student may take on a limited amount of teaching, for which additional payment will be made. The award includes an additional training grant of £1650 p.a. for short courses, books, travel, conferences etc.
Contact details
For additional information about the project, please contact Dr Simon Peeters at: [Email Address Removed]
For practical questions about the application process and/or eligibility for funding, please contact: [Email Address Removed]