Post-doctoral Research Associate

at  Kings College London

Job id: 094546. Salary: £43,205 - £44,347 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance.
Posted: 19 August 2024. Closing date: 24 September 2024.
Business unit: Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sci. Department: Physics.
Contact details: Dr Jim Dobson. jim.dobson@kcl.ac.uk
Location: Strand Campus. Category: Research.
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About us
A vacancy for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to work on a new R&D activity developing and testing quantum sensor readout of Xe-based dark matter detectors has arisen at the Experimental Particle and Astroparticle Physics (EPAP) Group, Department of Physics, King’s College London.
We will welcome the successful candidate into the diverse Experimental Particle and Astroparticle Physics (EPAP) Group in the Department of Physics, King’s College London, to undertake research investigations in collaboration with the members of the EPAP group, and with close links to the Biological Physics and Soft Matter group at King’s as well as with project partners at the University of Glasgow. We especially encourage applications from females, minority ethnic candidates and other groups who are under-represented in physics.
About the role
The successful candidate will be supported to make significant contributions to a new R&D activity in the EPAP group, developing and testing the use of Superconducting Nanowire Single Photon Detector (SNSPD) quantum sensors as a new readout device for Xe-based scintillation detectors, constructing a test bench to measure device performance and performing analysis and interpretation of data collected on the test bench. In role, the successful candidate will receive training in laboratory and clean-room safety and practises and be supported to develop their expertise in the relevant hardware techniques.
Applicants should have or be about to gain, a PhD in experimental particle physics or detector physics (HEP or nuclear), and have experience of active participation in a particle physics, or particle astrophysics experiment, either running or at the R&D, design or construction phase. We are also interested in applications from candidates with expertise outside of these areas but with experience in relevant techniques such as VUV spectroscopy and single photon counting techniques. Hardware skills and good knowledge of data analysis in C++ or python are highly desirable. The post will be located at Kings College London at the Strand Campus, but will require periods of time to be spent at the University of Glasgow as project partners for this R&D work, as well as travel for conferences and workshops to present results.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006. Where required this may include entry clearance or continued leave to remain under the Points Based Immigration Scheme. If a candidate is about to complete a PhD, they will be appointed at Grade 5 (Research assistant contract) initially.
The Department of Physics has had a distinguished scientific tradition since its foundation in 1829. We are committed to both educational and research excellence with a wide variety of BSc, MSci, and postgraduate programmes driven by research.
The Department of Physics at King’s College London is diverse, international and friendly with a positive atmosphere of collaboration and support between research groups. We currently hold a silver Athena Swan award and Juno Champion status from the Institute of Physics (IOP). We offer a welcoming environment and welcome applications from applicants of all backgrounds.
Celebrating diversity and supporting staff is important to us and we offer a range of provision including caring support (including a Parenting and Carers Fund and the Carer’s Career Development Fund), training, and a variety of diversity and inclusion networks. Staff can apply for flexible working to help them balance the demands of their professional and personal commitments and we offer comprehensive leave policies for parental, adoption, surrogacy, dependant, and shared leave.
KCL staff are principally located on the Strand Campus in the heart of central London, further details available at https://www.kcl.ac.uk/nms and https://www.kcl.ac.uk/physics
This is a full time position (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a a fixed term contract until 31/10/2026.
About you
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
1. Applicants should have, or be about to gain, a PhD in experimental particle physics, astroparticle physics, detector physics (HEP or nuclear), or a PhD in relevant techniques such as VUV spectroscopy or single photon counting but with a demonstrated interest in dark matter direct detection
2. Evidence of experimental/hardware skills or an interest in developing them
3. Ability to think analytically, interpret data and problem solve
4. Ability to programme in C++ or Python
5. Effective communication skills
6. Ability to organise and prioritise own work and organise research within the project timetable
7. Familiarity with data analysis techniques, such as Monte Carlo techniques and statistical analysis
8. Appropriate publication records
Desirable criteria
1. Experience with relevant hardware (such as photosensor systems, vacuum systems, cryogenic liquids, lasers/light sources, Data Acquisition, calibration sources)
2. Experience on working in the design and construction of HEP or astroparticle physics detectors, or single photon counting experiments.
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “

Please refer the Job description for details