Missions

The Neutrino Group at LPNHE invites applications for one Postdoctoral Research Position. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to the magnetized near detector (ND280) of the T2K and the HyperKamiokande neutrino oscillation experiments in Japan.
T2K, a long-baseline neutrino oscillations experiment, has been the first experiment to observe the appearance of electron neutrinos in a muon neutrino beam and is currently searching for CP violation in the leptonic sector by measuring appearance probabilities of electron neutrinos and antineutrinos.
Such measurement requires both, large statistics and a better understanding of systematics uncertainties. In the context of T2K, we recently restarted taking data with a more powerful beam and an upgraded magnetized Near Detector. T2K will take data in this configuration until 2027 when the far detector will be replaced by the next generation detector, Hyper-Kamiokande, a Water Cherenkov detector 10 times larger than the existing Super-Kamiokande. Hyper-Kamiokande will use the same beamline and will use ND280 as Near Detector.
ND280 is then critical for both experiments. The upgrade of the T2K Near Detector has been installed at J-PARC in 2024 and is currently taking the first neutrino data. The successful candidate is expected to significantly contribute to the exploitation of the upgraded T2K near detector, developing new selections with the goal of including these new selections in the T2K Oscillation Analyses. They will also be involved in the simulation and performance studies for possible upgrades of ND280 for the high precision Hyper-K era, and they will contribute to the construction, operation and characterization of a prototype that will be built at LPNHE.
Funding necessary to cover travel costs to Japan and participation in relevant international scientific conferences/workshops has been allocated in the project budget. To ensure full consideration, applications should be submitted before March 15th. The expected beginning of the contract is May 1st , 2025 but a later starting date can be considered.

Activities

The successful candidate is expected to work on the upgrade of the T2K Near Detector, profiting of the data that are currently being collected at J-PARC to develop new selections exploiting the superior performances of the ND280 Upgrade.
In addition, the postdoc will also work on the preparation of the next generation Long-Baseline Experiment in Japan, Hyper-Kamiokande.

Skills

The candidate should have a PhD in Particle Physics, Astrophysics or Cosmology.
Previous experience in neutrino oscillations is desirable although not mandatory.

The position is funded by ANR for two years. The starting date is May 1st , 2025 but a later starting date can be considered.

Applications should include a CV with a summary of previous research activities and a statement of interest. Up to three reference letters should be sent to Claudio Giganti (cgiganti@lpnhe.in2p3.fr)
For further information, contact Claudio Giganti.

Work Context

LPNHE (Laboratoire de Physique Nucléaire et des Hautes Energies, https://lpnhe.in2p3.fr/) is a laboratory of the IN2P3 (Institut National de Physique Nucléaire et de Physique de Particules), a CNRS institute, and of the universities « Sorbonne Université » and « Université de Paris ». The laboratory is located in Paris (France). It is involved in major particle physics, astroparticle physics and cosmology international collaborations. 130 permanent agents work at LPNHE.

The Neutrino group at LPNHE is currently involved in the analysis of the T2K data, in the upgrade of the T2K Near Detector and in the preparation for the next generation of long-baseline experiment, Hyper-Kamiokande. The neutrino group is composed of 4 permanent researchers: four CNRS researchers (J. Dumarchez, C. Giganti, B. Popov, M. Zito), an assistant professor (M. Guigue), six PhD students and 2 postdocs.

Constraints and risks

No specific risks are foreseen for this position.

Additional Information

The position is funded by ANR for two years. The starting date is May 1st , 2025.