PhD Position: Experimental Astroparticle Physics

1. Introduction

The most energetic particles in the universe are ultra-high-energy cosmic rays, subatomic particles with measured energies up to 1020 eV.  To address major questions about their nature, origin and interaction, the Pierre Auger Observatory, the world’s largest observatory, has been upgraded. You will enhance the performance and analyse the data of the 1600 recently installed radio antennas.

2. Job description

We invite applications for a PhD position in high-energy astroparticle physics within the Pierre Auger collaboration at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands).

The Pierre Auger Observatory is the largest detector ever built to study ultra-high-energy cosmic rays. Situated in Malargüe (Argentina), its 3,000 km2 array of detectors has just undergone an upgrade, including the deployment of additional particle detectors as well as  antennas measuring the radio-frequency emission from air showers. This will enhance the capabilities of the observatory to determine the nature of the highest-energy particles ever observed and potentially measure with unprecedented precision the interactions caused in the atmosphere.

You will contribute by developing and testing a new analysis technique to reconstruct air shower parameters by applying interferometry on the measured radio signals. To make this work, clock synchronisation will be set up at the Pierre Auger Observatory, and the locations of detectors in the field will be accurately surveyed. With the improved data, you will work on determining the cosmic-ray composition at the highest energies.  In these tasks the PhD candidates will be supported by and build on our group’s strong expertise in signal reconstruction and data analysis for radio detectors. Some teaching will also be required, involving 10% of your working time.

3. Profile

• You have an MSc degree in physics/astronomy, with good results.
• You have a good command of English.
• Previous experience in data analysis and scientific computing is an advantage.

4. We are

The position will be based in the High Energy Physics Department of the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP). The department consists of 15 staff scientists and about 30 PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers, performing cutting-edge theoretical and experimental research in particle physics and quantum gravity. Besides our participation in the Pierre Auger Collaboration, we are also involved in other experiments such as ATLAS at CERN, DUNE, GRAND and SWGO. We maintain close collaborations with theoreticians and our colleagues in the Astrophysics and Mathematics departments. Radboud University is one of the founding partners of Nikhef, the national institute for subatomic physics, which coordinates the particle and astroparticle physics activities in the Netherlands.

This position is funded from an ERC-CoG grant and you will be part of a team that will work on developing the radio interferometry technique for air shower observations.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1.5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).     
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,901 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,707 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to dr. Harm Schoorlemmer. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place on Monday 24 February. You will preferably start your employment on 1 June 2025.

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