Two Postdoc Research Associates in Particle Detector R&D and ULTRASAT

DESY, with its 2700 employees at its two locations in Hamburg and Zeuthen, is one of the world's leading research centres. Its research focuses on decoding the structure and function of matter, from the smallest particles of the universe to the building blocks of life. In this way, DESY contributes to solving the major questions and urgent challenges facing science, society and industry. With its ultramodern research infrastructure, its interdisciplinary research platforms and its international networks, DESY offers a highly attractive working environment in the fields of science, technology and administration as well as for the education of highly qualified young scientists.

The Zeuthen location of DESY has a strong focus on astroparticle and particle physics (gamma-ray and neutrino astronomy, and collider particle physics). The experimental groups are accompanied by a strong astroparticle theory group. DESY Zeuthen is responsible for developing and delivering silicon-based detectors for astroparticle and particle physics experiments (e.g. ULTRASAT, ATLAS), and is actively engaged in R&D for future applications.

Detector development activities at DESY Zeuthen include R&D with monolithic active pixel sensors (MAPs), construction of modules for the ATLAS ITk endcap tracker at the LHC, and the camera for ULTRASAT, a wide-field satellite for transient UV phenomena.The post holders will join an active team of researchers whose current detector R&D activities include the development of MALTA, a charged particle sensor fabricated in a modified optical process for fast charge collection in depleted silicon; DECAL, a reconfigurable MAPs sensor for digital calorimetry; the ULTRASAT sensor, a large-area stitched back-side illuminated CMOS imager for UV astronomy, quantum sensors for tests of fundamental physics, and also spinoff applications such as dosimetry for FLASH radiotherapy at the in-house PITZ accelerator.

Both post holders will conduct detector R&D and develop expertise in the growing field of CMOS MAPs for scientific applications. One post holder will have an emphasis on the commissioning and operation of ULTRASAT sensors, and one will focus on MAPs for charged particle applications. Both posts will include a range of responsibilities, from the design, commissioning and operation of MAPs devices through to characterisation with testbeams of radiation-damaged devices.

The position

Active role in CMOS sensor development and testing for scientific applications
Opportunity for active role in the ULTRASAT CMOS camera development
Opportunity for silicon MAPs R&D for future particle physics applications
Supervise graduate students conducting detector research