General information
Offer title : M/F Measurement of beta decay properties of nuclei of interest for nuclear structure and astrophysics, antineutrino spectra and reactor physics. (H/F)
Reference : UMR6457-SOPDEP-052
Number of position : 1
Workplace : NANTES
Date of publication : 19 March 2025
Type of Contract : Researcher in FTC
Contract Period : 12 months
Expected date of employment : 1 June 2025
Proportion of work : Full Time
Remuneration : between 3021,50 € bruts and 4208,37 € bruts according to experience
Desired level of education : Doctorate
Experience required : 1 to 4 years
Section(s) CN : 01 - Interactions, particles, nuclei, from laboratory to cosmos
Missions
The Nuclear Structure and Energy group of the SUBATECH laboratory has experimental activities devoted to the study of beta decay properties of nuclei of interest nuclear structure and astrophysics, antineutrino spectra and reactor physics, in close collaboration with the team of IFIC Valencia in Spain and the University of Surrey. These measurements are performed using 2 experimental techniques: the TAGS (Total Absorption Gamma-ray Spectroscopy) technique, based on the detection of the gamma rays de-exciting the daughter nucleus with a calorimeter and the direct measurement of the shape of the electron energy spectrum (E-Shape experiment). The TAGS technique gives access to the beta strength distribution, directly comparable to theoretical microscopic models. It allows in addition to avoid the Pandemonium effect. The direct measurement of the electron spectrum shape is dedicated to the study of forbidden beta transitions. It allows in addition to avoid the Pandemonium effect.
Activities
The main tasks of the candidate researcher will be related to the analysis of one of the two experiments described below and the R&D of a new Total Absorption Spectrometer (called (NA)2STARS) with LaBr3 modules. Two TAGS experiment co-proposed by the SUBATECH team in collaboration with the teams from IFIC of Valencia, Madrid and Warsaw have been performed in 2022 and 2023 at the facility of the University of Jyväskylä (Finland) and at the ISOLDE-CERN facility. The main objective is to study neutron-rich nuclei of interest for reactor decay heat, reactor antineutrino spectra and nuclear structure and astrophysics. Moreover some of the proposed nuclei are beta-delayed neutron emitters and are of importance for the r-process. Another experiment, proposed by SUBATECH, IFIC and Surrey, has also been performed at the Jyväskylä facility in Jan. 2022 aiming at measuring beta energy spectra from first forbidden decays of fission products which are important contributors to the reactor antineutrino spectrum. These measurements are also of interest for the r-process.
The candidate will be expected to participate to the analysis of the above-mentioned experiments depending on the group priorities. The work will be complemented with instrumental developments in the frame of the (NA)2STARS project, an upgrade of the existing TAS to perform experiments at the GANIL facility
Skills
The candidate must hold a PhD in nuclear physics.
Applicants should have their PhD (in nuclear physics) at the time of the starting date. A good experience in experimental nuclear structure and in C++ programming, in particular with ROOT and GEANT4
The candidate will have the ability to prepare research results for publication and presentation at scientific meetings.
Le/la candidat(e) devra maîtriser l'anglais parlé et écrit
Work Context
Subatech laboratory, Subatech experimental test bench, the candidate will be likely to travel to the experimental sites of Jyvaskyla, ISOLDE, GANIL
Constraints and risks
Work with radioactive sources, high voltage, near exotic nuclei production facilities