Stillingstittel:
PhD Research Fellowship in Theoretical Particle Physics / Cosmology (DARK MATTER)(2016/3388)

Stillingsbeskrivelse:
The University of Oslo is Norway’s largest institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees. Its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally esteemed research communities make UiO an important contributor to society.

Position as PhD Research fellow in Theoretical particle physics/Cosmology (DARK MATTER) is available at The Department of Physics.

If the successful candidate has a good knowledge of one Scandinavian language (Norwegian, Swedish, Danish), the fellowship will be for a period of 4 years, with 25 % compulsory work (teaching responsibilities at the Department of Physics). Otherwise, the fellowship will be for a period of 3 years, with no compulsory work. Starting date no later than 01.10.2016.

No one can be appointed for more than one fixed-term period at the same institution.

Job/project description:

The identity of the cosmological dark matter is one of the greatest unsolved puzzles in fundamental physics. The successful candidate will investigate strategies to determine the properties of the putative dark matter particle with the help of astrophysical observables. This includes the study of cosmic rays of various kinds, as well as observables connected to cosmological structure formation. Besides analytic work connected to particle physics model-building, there is an opportunity to get involved in actual cosmic ray data analysis. To investigate the phenomenological aspects of self-interacting dark matter models, large-scale numerical simulations of cosmological structure formation may be required.

The PhD fellowship will be based in the Theory Section at the Department of Physics. Strong bonds exist both to the experimental high-energy group in the same department, as well as to the neighbouring Institute of theoretical astrophysics (ITA). These three groups are connected to the Strategic Dark Matter Initiative (SDI), a new initiative in the search for the identity of Dark Matter, combining research in astro-, astroparticle- and particle physics, established by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Oslo. For more information on SDI, please see:

http://www.mn.uio.no/fysikk/english/research/projects/darkmatter/

Requirements/qualifications:

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Applicants must hold a Master's degree or equivalent in particle physics, cosmology or related fields. We are looking for highly motivated and competent candidates with a strong background in theoretical (astro) particle physics and cosmology, and a strong interest in astrophysical searches for particle Dark Matter. Prior experience with dark matter physics, as well as good programming skills and/or knowledge of algebraic computer programs (like mathematica) will be an advantage. Interaction with other researchers in the theory and neighbouring groups is strongly encouraged; good collaborative abilities are thus also important.

Candidates without a Master's degree have until 30 June, 2016 to complete the final exam.

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree.

The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to thedepartment no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:

http://www.uio.no/english/research/phd/