Senior Research Associate in thin-film-based detector development (A2642)

Lancaster University invites applications for a postdoctoral Senior Research Associate to develop and evaluate thin-film based detectors for ionising radiation in the framework of a collaborative project with Mexican partner institutions.

The basic idea of the project is to evaluate whether industrially available thin-film technology (TFT) could be used to produce cost-efficient and radiation-tolerant pixel detectors for future high-energy physics experiments. To this end, several candidate materials will be studied in view of both their detector properties and their suitability to include thin-film transistors for the first amplifier stage to be on-sensor. Lancaster University is studying GaAs as substrate material.

It will be your role to manage and advance the project and ideally complement the existing expertise at Lancaster (semiconductor radiation detectors, MBE growth) with knowledge and experience in thin-film technology, in particular TFT-transistors and circuits. You will use the state-of-the-art equipment housed in the QTC (see http://www.lancaster.ac.uk/quantum-technology/) to fabricate and test passive detectors and TFT test circuits. Irradiations and beam test campaigns will be conducted at CERN.

Lancaster’s QTC opened in 2014 and is embedded with the Department of Physics, which was ranked first and equal-first respectively in the 2008 and 2001 UK Research Assessment Exercises (RAE). In 2014 it was ranked second for its world-leading research publications in the UK Research Excellence Framework (REF). It is seeking to further enhance its scientific standing.

You should have a PhD in Physics, Electronic Engineering or a related discipline and ideally already have experience with thin-film technology and/or analogue circuit design. The project requires travel to Mexico, CERN and to international conferences. Knowledge of Spanish would be an advantage.

The post is initially being offered for at most 8 months (until December 31st, 2019), as the project is only funded until then. A follow-up project is envisaged, but no funding has up to now been secured.

Please contact Dr. Daniel Muenstermann if you wish to have an informal discussion about this opportunity: Email: Daniel.Muenstermann@lancaster.ac.uk Tel: +44 1524 595093. 

We intend to hold interviews for the position on Thursday 9 May 2019, so please be prepared to make yourself available on that date for an interview.

Lancaster University Physics Department is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our department.

Applicants may find some helpful information on local amenities here: http://www.physics.lancs.ac.uk/jobs/amenities/

We welcome applications from people in all diversity groups.

Closing Date: 03 May 2019
Category: Research