M/F LHCb fixed-target postdoctoral position

Job Description

Missions

The LHCb group of the Leprince-Ringuet Laboratory (LLR) invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher position on the charmed hadron production with the LHCb fixed target configuration.

During Run 3, the LHCb experiment uses the SMOG2 system to operate in a fixed-target configuration, where the circulating proton or ion beam interacts with a stationary gas target. This provides access to a unique energy and kinematic regime complementary to collider data, enabling studies of QCD, heavy-flavor production, and nuclear effects with improved precision thanks to the upgraded Run 3 detector and higher luminosities. The LLR team is deeply involved in this physics program, with a particular focus on the production of open- and hidden-charm hadrons in fixed-target collisions.

Activity

Over the past years, charm production has proved to be a crucial probe of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD). Owing to the relatively large charm-quark mass, charm hadrons are predominantly produced in hard partonic interactions that can be described using perturbative QCD techniques, while their subsequent hadronization provides insight into non-perturbative effects. Measurements of both open- and hidden-charm production therefore offer stringent tests of QCD across different energy regimes and collision systems, while also constraining parton distribution functions and improving our understanding of heavy-quark dynamics in nuclear matter. Recent measurements have challenged the assumption of universal hadronization, suggesting that the hadronization process may depend on the collision environment. This project proposes to exploit the diversity of proton–nucleus collision systems collected by LHCb during Run 3 to investigate charm-hadron formation mechanisms and their dependence on the surrounding nuclear medium.

Your Profil

Skills

Applicants must hold, or are about to obtain, a PhD degree in physics. Excellent knowledge of particle physics, mathematical methods of data analysis, and modern software development skills (python, C++, gitlab) are required.

Your Work Environment

Located in the South of Paris on the Ecole Polytechnique campus in Palaiseau, the Laboratoire Leprince-Ringuet (LLR) is a joint research laboratory of CNRS and Ecole Polytechnique, with a long-standing tradition in particle physics, astroparticle physics and detector instrumentation. The laboratory brings together researchers, engineers, technicians, and students working on leading international scientific projects.
The LHCb group at LLR plays a leading role in heavy-flavour physics, with a strong involvement in studies of charm production and hadronization, in the unique fixed-target programme enabled by the SMOG2 system during Run 3. The group is also actively engaged in luminosity measurements and the preparation of future upgrades of the experiment.
The position is initially for a year, with the possibility of extension. The successful candidate will contribute to the analysis of open-charm production in proton–nucleus collisions collected by LHCb during Run 3, with the goal of improving our understanding of charm-hadron formation mechanisms and their dependence on the collision environment. Regular travel to CERN and participation in national and international workshops and conferences are expected.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

Between €3,131 and €3,569 gross per month.

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions