The organization
Nikhef is the national institute for subatomic physics in the Netherlands. At Nikhef, approximately 220 physicists and 75 technical staff work together in an open and international scientific environment. Together they perform theoretical and experimental research in the fields of particle and astroparticle physics. Nikhef is a partnership between six major Dutch universities and NWO-I Foundation, the Institutes Organization of the Dutch Research Council (NWO).
Among the research collaborations Nikhef participates in are the ALICE, ATLAS and LHCb experiments at CERN, the KM3NeT neutrino telescope in the Mediterranean, the Virgo gravitational waves interferometer in Pisa, the Xenon-nT dark matter experiment in Gran Sasso, the Pierre Auger cosmic ray observatory in Argentina, and the eEDM research programme in Groningen. There are also scientific groups on Theory, Physics Data Processing and Detector R&D. Nikhef avails over excellently equipped technical departments in mechanics, electronics and computing.
The research group
The postdoc will be based at Nikhef, and will work in the detector R&D group, which has strong bonds with the ATLAS, ALICE and LHCb experimental groups.
The R&D group is currently composed of 5 staff, 4 postdocs and 7 PhD candidates, and is active in developing novel detector technologies for (astro-) particle physics and gravitational wave detectors. Nikhef has an excellent laboratory infrastructure, and the R&D group works in close collaboration with Nikhef’s mechanical, electronics, and software engineering departments to develop innovative instrumentation.
The position
We are looking for candidates motivated to work on development of new technologies based on high bandgap solid state materials, in particular Silicon Carbide (SiC). The candidate will take a leading role in simulating new devices investigating the implementation of a gain layer with minimal dead area for pixel detectors.
In addition, the candidate will provide characterise and measure the temporal and spatial performance of new devices conceived and manufactured within the scope of this project.
Therefore the successful candidate has a PhD in detector instrumentation or physics and strong software skills, particularly in the use of Technology Computer aided Design (TCAD).
The postdoc will also supervise the work of one or more PhD candidates. The candidate’s work will preferentially be based in the Nikhef campus in Amsterdam.
Our research community is friendly and supportive. Nikhef is committed to being an inclusive and diverse organisation. Application from women or people belonging to minority groups are especially welcome.
Offer
The candidate will be employed by the NWO-I foundation for a period of two years and will obtain the status of postdoctoral researcher. She/he will receive a competitive salary. The conditions of employment are excellent and include extra months’ salary payment in May and December. The conditions of employment of the NWO-I-foundation can be found at https://www.nwo-i.nl/en/employees/
Further information and application
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by clicking the 'apply now' button below. Please be prepared to upload a curriculum vitae and a motivation letter, and have the email addresses of at least two referents ready, who are willing to send a letter of recommendation on your behalf. The deadline for applications is January 15th 2025. The starting date will be set on mutual agreement. For inquiries please contact Dr. Kazu Akiba (kazu.akiba@nikhef.nl) or Dr Prof. Kristof de Bruyn (k.a.m.de.bruyn@rug.nl).
All qualified individuals are encouraged to apply