POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN NUCLEAR PHYSICS – Grade 7

The Nuclear Physics Group is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to support its STFC-funded ENVISAGE research programme, which aims to evaluate the performance of a Segmented Inverted coaxial GerMAnium (SIGMA) detector in operational environments.  The SIGMA detector is designed to offer significant improvements in precision measurements of gamma-ray interaction energy and position over other large volume, segmented germanium detectors, through its unique electrode configuration and point-like contact.  These characteristics make SIGMA a promising technology for gamma-ray spectroscopy, tracking and imaging applications.

You will play a leading role in evaluating the performance of the detector in its proposed operational environments, which are (1) as a tracking detector for decay spectroscopy experiments and (2) as a spectroscopic gamma-ray imager in nuclear decommissioning.  Your role will include driving developments of experimental acquisition and analysis techniques. You will lead detector commissioning and data acquisition campaigns at laboratories in the University of Liverpool, the University of Jyväskylä (JYFL), Finland, and Mirion Technologies, Warrington.  You will lead the analysis of the acquired data, for example

(1) using the JYFL data to track gamma rays detected in SIGMA back to an implantation array to characterise and correlate isomeric decays and beta delayed gamma rays from the implanted exotic ions and (2) using the Mirion data to produce spectroscopic gamma-ray images of a range of industrially relevant gamma-ray sources. You will also collaborate with other researchers in the team and Mirion Technologies to iterate towards an optimised next generation detector design.

You will provide supervision for postgraduate and undergraduate students in the SIGMA research programme. You will also be expected to present the results of your work at collaboration meetings and international conferences.  A willingness to travel and the ability to communicate effectively with key stakeholders are essential.  You will have opportunities to access a range of researcher development resources, with the University of Liverpool sector leading in postdoctoral researcher development programmes such as Prosper.  The post is available until 31st October 2026 and is expected to start as soon as possible.

You will have a PhD in experimental nuclear physics or instrumentation.

Any applicants who are still awaiting their PhD to be awarded should be aware that if successful, they will be appointed at grade 6, spine point 30.  Upon written confirmation that they have been successful in being awarded their PhD, they will be moved onto grade 7, spine point 31 from the date of their award. 

This post is available until 31 October 2026. 

The University has the right to close the vacancy early if it is deemed that there have been enough applications received