PhD position on Science of Astroparticles and Cosmology M/F

Job Description

Thesis Subject

The nature of dark matter (DM), the dominant component of the Universe, remains one of the most fundamental open questions in physics. The lack of evidence for weakly interacting massive particles (WIMPs) has motivated the exploration of alternative candidates, including light dark matter from hidden sectors, which may produce extremely small energy deposits down to the single-electron level.

This PhD project is part of the DAMIC-M experiment, currently under construction at the Laboratoire Souterrain de Modane (France). It employs innovative skipper CCD technology capable of single-electron detection with unprecedented resolution, offering unique sensitivity to low-mass dark matter.

The project is structured along three main directions. First, the commissioning of the DAMIC-M detector, including validation of its performance (noise, charge resolution, stability) and optimization of ultra-low background conditions. This phase will provide comprehensive training in experimental physics.

Second, the direct search for dark matter at very low energies. The data consist of high-resolution pixelated images, enabling detailed characterization of energy deposits in silicon. Novel analysis techniques (clustering, signal/background discrimination) will be developed to fully exploit single-electron sensitivity, aiming at improving current sensitivities by two orders of magnitude.

Third, the global interpretation of experimental constraints on sub-GeV dark matter. The project will bridge results from direct detection, accelerator experiments, and indirect searches by translating them into a common framework dependent on cosmological production mechanisms. This unified approach, more theoretical, will clarify the viable parameter space and guide future explorations of the dark sector.
Bibliography :
• Arnquist, et al. (DAMIC-M Collaboration), “The DAMIC-M Low Background Chamber”, JINST 19 (2024) 11, T11010
• I. Arnquist, et al. (DAMIC-M Collaboration), “Search for Daily Modulation of MeV Dark Matter Signals with DAMIC-M”, Phys.Rev.Lett. 132 (2024) 10, 101006
• I. Arnquist, et al. (DAMIC-M Collaboration), “First Constraints from DAMIC-M on Sub-GeV Dark-Matter Particles Interacting with Electrons”, Phys.Rev.Lett. 132 (2024) 10, 101006
• K. Aggarwal et al. (DAMIC-M Collaboration), “Probing Benchmark Models of Hidden-Sector Dark Matter with DAMIC-M”, Phys.Rev.Lett. 135 (2025) 7, 071002

Your Work Environment

The Irène Joliot-Curie Physics Laboratory of 2 Infinities (IJCLab) is a UMR under the supervision of the CNRS (IN2P3), the University of Paris-Saclay and the University of Paris is located on the campus of the University of Paris -Saclay in Orsay. The laboratory is located on the campus of the Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay in Orsay. The campus is located 20 km south of Paris and easily accessible by RER in 35 minutes. IJCLab was born in 2020 from the merger of five units (CSNSM, IMNC, IPN, LAL, LPT). The staff is made up of nearly 560 permanent (340 engineers, technicians and administrators and 220 researchers and teacher-researchers) and approximately 200 non-permanent including 120 doctoral students. The research themes of the laboratory are nuclear physics, high energy physics, theoretical physics, astroparticles, astrophysics and cosmology, particle accelerators, energy and the environment and health. IJCLab has very significant technical capacities (around 280 IT) in all the major fields required to design, develop / implement the experimental devices necessary for its scientific activity, as well as the design, development and use of instruments. .
The phD student will work in the Direct-Detection Dark Matter group of the Laboratory which is involved in the DAMIC-M experiment. The group includes currently a 2 permanent researchers, 1 post-doc and 1 doctoral student.
IJCLAB bases its recruitment policy on the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion. Essential values, they allow the professional development of agents, who are real actors in a collective success, but also the development of the laboratory itself.

Constraints and risks

The successful candidate shall be enrolled on a PhD programme of the PHENIICS doctoral school. Travels to Modane and Chicago of approximately one month's duration should be expected.

Skills required:
• Strong background in physics (particle, nuclear, or astroparticle physics
• Interest in data analysis and statistical skills
• Interest in scientific programming (Python, C++ or similar)
• Interest in experimental physics
• Interest in particle physics and astrophysics
• Ability to work in an international collaboration
• Notions of French, English fluent

Other Documents

Submit a covering letter and CV without any break in date showing diplomas, titles and work and professional experience.
Submit reference letters and people who may be contac¬ted.
As IJCLab is subjected to ZRR (Zone à Régime Restrictif) military regulation, hiring choices must be approved by the Haut Fonctionnaire Securité Défense (HFSD). Therefore, the date of employment written above should be understood as provisional, and may need to be delayed.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

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