Silicon Sensor Characterization for The Lhcb Mighty

**Science and Technology Facilities Council**

**Salary**: £16,215

**Hours**: Full time

**Contract Type**:Fixed Term

**Location**:Science and Technology Facilities Council, Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Harwell, Oxfordshire

The LHCb (Large Hardon Collider beauty) is a general-purpose forward detector at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, whose aims include investigating beauty and charm particle decays and specialized to understand the phenomena of matter-antimatter asymmetries. The detector went through a major upgrade during the long shutdown 2 (LS2, 2019-22) to greatly expand its capabilities for LHC Run 3 & 4 and is planned to go through another major revamp during the long shutdown 4 (LS4, 2033-34) to exploit the opportunities for flavour physics, and beyond, in the HL-LHC era. To counter the challenges posed by the high luminosity conditions the inner part of the present tracking system is planned to be replaced by a silicon detector, the Mighty Tracker. The summer studentship project will focus on the characterization of the first version of the Mighty tracker silicon (High Voltage MAPS CMOS) sensor, which will be crucial to justify the Technical Design Report and finalize the design of the chip for the next submission. It will be important to demonstrate the timing performance of the chip and radiation tolerance. The student will make use of the silicon lab and infrastructure at RAL and will work closely with a team of experts.

The Particle Physics Department (PPD) at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) of Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), is one of the largest Particle Physics groups in the UK. We design, construct and operate some of the most sensitive scientific instruments in the world,
collaborating with partners in academia, industry and international laboratories such as CERN. We currently work with the ATLAS, CMS, LHCb, DUNE, Hyper-K, T2K, nuSTORM, Lux-Zeplin, DEAP-3600, CERN RD50, Electron Ion Collider, Muon Collider and AION collaborations.

**Summary of Key Duties and Responsibilities**
- Characterization of the silicon sensors for the Mighty Tracker project
- Present weekly to line manager on progress with the project
- Create a report summarising findings of the studies at the end of the project

**Essential**:

- Are in full time education at university and returning to university/studies following the placement
- The right to live and work in the UK for the duration of the placement
- Basic knowledge of particle physics detection techniques
- Basic knowledge of either python or C++
- Basic knowledge of Windows and Linux OS

**Desirable**:

- Can work independently, using available resources to overcome problems
- Keen interest in solving both hardware and software problems

**About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)**

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.

We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.

**About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)**

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For