Details
Posted: 09-May-23
Location: Zeuthen, Germany
Type: Contract
Categories:
Academia, Research Laboratory
Job Function:
Researcher
Years of Experience:
0-3
Internal Number: APDO001/2023
For our location in Zeuthen we are seeking:
PhD student for a clock-based search for ultra light dark matter
Limited: 3 years | Starting date: earliest possible | ID: APDO001/2023 | Deadline: 31.05.2023 | Part-time
DESY, with more than 2900 employees at its two locations in Hamburg and Zeuthen, is one of the world’s leading research centres. Its research focuses on decoding the structure and function of matter, from the smallest particles of the universe to the building blocks of life. In this way, DESY contributes to solving the major questions and urgent challenges facing science, society and industry. With its ultramodern research infrastructure, its interdisciplinary research platforms and its international networks, DESY offers a highly attractive working environment in the fields of science, technology and administration as well as for the education of highly qualified young scientists.
The Zeuthen location of DESY has a strong focus on astroparticle and particle physics (gamma-ray and neutrino astronomy, and collider particle physics). The experimental groups are accompanied by a strong astroparticle theory group. Our understanding of nature, as described by the Standard Model of particle physics and by cosmology, famously fails to account for almost 95% of the mass-energy content of the Universe, including the illusive Dark Matter. The lack of direct evidence for the existence of Dark Matter has led the scientific community to devise increasingly sophisticated detection methods. In this context, quantum technology allows the realisation of the most precise and sensitive scientific instruments ever built.
This PhD project aims at harnessing the huge potential of new and emerging quantum technologies to provide a significant step forward in this exciting quest. The student will construct an ultra-advanced atomic clock based on cold and trapped highly-charged ions, which are the most sensitive elements to search for temporal and spatial variations of the so-called fine structure constant. In the case a variation of the “ticking” of the clock is observed, it will provide the first direct and quantitative evidence of violations of the Standard Model, with huge implication on our understanding of the Universe and the origin of dark matter. This is a joint PhD project between DESY Zeuthen, the Humboldt University of Berlin, the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics in Heidelberg, and the University of Birmingham in the UK. A large fraction of the PhD will be spent in MPI Heidelberg to develop the experimental apparatus and to assemble and characterize a compact electron beam ion trap (EBIT) that will allow us to produce and trap highly charged ions. The student will then cool, trap and interrogate the highly-charged ions to measure the stability of the fine structure constant, and participate in the interpretation of the data to search for evidence of Dark Matter.
About your role:
- Active role in EBIT development and testing for highly charged ions
- Develop instrumentation for measuring fundamental constants
- Participate in the collaboration between DESY, HU, Heidelberg, and U. Birmingham
- Analyze experimental atomic clock data and participate in the interpretation of results
About you:
- Excellent university degree in experimental physics or equivalent qualification
- Very good knowledge in detector physics and corresponding simulations
- Good knowledge in experimental physics and good programming skills
- Very good command of English is required and knowledge of German is of advantage
- Excellent teamwork abilities in an international environment
Good reasons to join:
Look forward to a unique working environment on our international research campus. We attach particular importance to appreciative cooperation and the well-being of our DESY employees. Gender equality is an important aspect for us. To support work life balance we offer flexible working hours, variable part-time, job-sharing models and participation in mobile work. You will benefit from our family-friendly and collegial atmosphere, our established health management and occupational pension provision. As a public funded employer, we offer you a secure workplace and facilitate your individual career with our comprehensive training and development opportunities. Remuneration is according to the regulations of the TV-AVH. DESY offers its employees a financial supplement for a job ticket at both locations.
For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Steven Worm at +49 33762 7-7208 ([email protected]) or Prof. Dr. José Crespo López-Urrutia ([email protected]).
Please arrange for three letters of reference to be sent to the DESY human resource department by using our online tool: Additional application documents
We look forward to receiving your application via our application portal.
DESY promotes equal opportunities and diversity. The professional development of women is very important to us and therefore we strongly encourage women to apply for the vacant position. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preference if they are equally qualified.
You can find further information here:
https://www.desy.de/career/
Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
Personalabteilung
Notkestraße 85
22607 Hamburg
Phone: +49 40 8998-3392
About Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY
DESY, with its more than 2700 employees at its two locations in Hamburg and Zeuthen, is one of the world’s leading research centres. Its research focuses on decoding the structure and function of matter, from the smallest particles of the universe to the building blocks of life. In this way, DESY contributes to solving the major questions and urgent challenges facing science, society and industry. With its ultramodern research infrastructure, its interdisciplinary research platforms and its international networks, DESY offers a highly attractive working environment in the fields of science, technology and administration as well as for the education of highly qualified young scientists.
Connections working at Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY