PhD in Particle Physics: Background and Calibration for Neutron-Oscillation Searches at Stockholm University

Job Description

Stockholm University’s Experimental Particle and Astroparticle Physics division is recruiting a PhD student to prepare future searches for neutrons turning into antineutrons, a probe of baryon-number violation and physics beyond the Standard Model, including the proposed HIBEAM/NNBAR programme at the European Spallation Source. The project covers background and calibration measurements, detector studies, simulation and analysis, possibly with machine learning.

At a glance

• Position: Doctoral student (1 post), four years full time
• Where: Department of Physics, AlbaNova University Center, Stockholm
• Project contact: Prof. David Milstead, david.milstead@fysik.su.se
• Employment questions: Prof. Michael Odelius, odelius@fysik.su.se
• Apply by: 28 September 2026
• Apply: 28 September 2026

About the neutron-oscillation PhD

• Measure neutron-, photon- and cosmic-ray-induced backgrounds
• Calibrate and characterise detectors, and study detector response and shielding
• Work on event reconstruction and signal-background discrimination, including machine learning where useful
• Run experiments with detector prototypes and test beams, combined with simulations
• Contribute to feasibility and sensitivity studies in an international collaboration

How doctoral employment works at Stockholm University

Doctoral students are employed for up to the equivalent of four years of full-time study. The first contract is for up to one year and is then renewed for up to two years at a time, and up to 20% of working time may go to teaching, research or administration. Apply through the university’s recruitment system with a personal letter, a CV and the attachments the form asks for.

PhD applicants: browse our Find a supervisor directory to see who works in your area.

What Stockholm University is looking for

• General entry: a second-cycle degree, or 240 credits including 60 at second-cycle level, or equivalent knowledge
• Specific entry for Physics: a BSc in physics or equivalent, with 60 second-cycle physics credits including a degree project of at least 15 credits (it may still be in progress but must be at least half done)
• English equivalent to Swedish English B, for example an English-taught degree, IELTS Academic 6.0 (no section below 5.0) or TOEFL iBT 79
• Requirements must be met by the application deadline

Nice to have

• Documented knowledge in a relevant research field
• Analytical thinking, initiative, independence and collaboration

Pay and location

Doctoral students at Stockholm University are employed on a fixed salary; the advert gives no figure.

How to apply

Apply through the official Stockholm University page. The closing date is 28 September 2026.

See all our PhD positions, or browse more research jobs on ResearchJobs.in.