Research Associate for the Project “Cluster of Excellence Quantum Universe” Long-lived Search with the CMS Experiment

Research Associate for the Project “Cluster of Excellence Quantum Universe” Long-lived Search with the CMS Experiment (PhD candidate) § 28 Subsection 3 HmbHGInstitutionFaculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences, Department of Physics, Cluster of Excellence “Quantum Universe”Salary levelStart date01.03.2026, fixed for a period of three years (This is a fixed-term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act [Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG]).Application deadline25.12.2025Scope of workpart-timeWeekly hours66,67 % of standard work hours per weekYour responsibilitiesDuties include academic services in the project named above. Research associates may also pursue independent research and further academic qualifications. They may also pursue doctoral studies outside of working duties. The Cluster of Excellence “Quantum Universe” performs research to understand mass and gravity at the interface between quantum physics and cosmology. The research team includes leading scientists from mathematics, particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology at the University of Hamburg and DESY. The main research objective of this project is searching for exotic particles with the CMS experiment at the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Specifically, we probe the presence of hypothetical long-lived particles (LLPs) that are theoretically well motivated — e.g. due to their connection to dark matter — but experimentally very challenging. We mostly focus on particles that are produced in exotic decays of the Higgs boson or of heavy neutral leptons, travel undetected for a macroscopic distance, and then decay back to standard model particles that finally interact with the detector and can be registered for example as displaced vertices or showers in the muon detector. The successful candidate will work on the design and execution of searches for such long-lived decays with the CMS experiment. Additional contributions to machine learning based algorithm development as well as to the running and operation of the CMS experiment are possible as well. Doctoral research associates will become members of the Quantum Universe Research School (QURS), which provides academic and key skills training, as well as career planning support. In addition, they will receive individual budgets to facilitate the attendance of summer schools and conferences, and to support other educational measures. Additional travel money for project-specific duties will be provided by the hosting research groups. Doctoral researchers may participate in teaching at the University and in the organization of the Cluster via an early career council.Your profileA university degree in a relevant field. Excellent English communication skills are required. Excellent candidates will have prior knowledge of high energy physics as well as practical experience in data analysis with the CMS or ATLAS experiment. Candidates with experience in exotic searches and corresponding reconstruction techniques or similar topics are especially preferred. Successful candidates are expected to pursue a PhD in Physics at the University of Hamburg. The regular duration of a PhD at the Department of Physics is three years.We offerReliable remuneration based on wage agreementsContinuing education opportunitiesUniversity pensionsAttractive locationFlexible working hoursWork-life balance opportunitiesHealth management, EGYM WellpassEducational leave30 days of vacation per annum structured doctoral program supervision and mentoring scheme individual travel budget Universität Hamburg—University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany. Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a digital age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world. We would like to invite you to be part of our community to work with us in creating sustainable and digital change for a dynamic and pluralist society. The University of Hamburg is committed to equity. Diversity enriches our university life, whether in our studies, research, teaching, education, or workplace. We therefore welcome all applications, regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnic or social background, age, religion or belief, disability, or chronic illness.The University of Hamburg strives to increase the number of women in academia, and encourages qualified female academics to apply.Severely disabled and disabled applicants with the same status will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants.