The Nikhef Theory group in Amsterdam is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the ERC Advanced Grant UNICORN project. This role focuses on unlocking strong interactions with collider neutrinos, combining state-of-the-art QCD calculations, Monte Carlo simulations, and machine learning to model the production and scattering of neutrinos at the LHC.
| Designation | Postdoctoral Researcher |
| Research Area | Theoretical Particle Physics, QCD, Proton Structure, and Machine Learning |
| Location | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Last Date to Apply | January 31, 2027 |
| Apply Link | Apply via Nikhef Portal |
Job Summary
For more than fifteen years, the intense flux of high-energy neutrinos produced at the LHC went undetected until their observation in 2023. The UNICORN project (“Unlocking the Strong Interactions with Collider Neutrinos”) aims to build the theoretical framework needed to model these neutrinos. The goal is to transform experiments like FASER and SND@LHC into precision microscopes of proton structure, enabling better predictions for Higgs and electroweak physics and searches for New Physics.
Job Description
The postdoctoral researcher will be embedded in the Nikhef Theory group and supervised by Prof. Dr. Juan Rojo. Key responsibilities include:
- Conducting data-driven extraction of LHC forward neutrino fluxes.
- Studying charm production at the LHC as high-resolution probes of small-x QCD.
- Analyzing neutrino and muon deep-inelastic scattering (DIS) structure functions at TeV energies.
- Integrating findings into the NNPDF global analysis of proton structure.
- Developing state-of-the-art event generators for neutrino and muon DIS with data-driven tunes.
- Utilizing Neural Simulation-Based Inference techniques to extract observables from FASER data.
- Collaborating with the FASER team, including working visits to CERN.
Eligibility & Qualification
- Education: Applicants must hold, or expect to obtain before the starting date, a PhD in theoretical or particle physics (or a closely related topic).
- Technical Skills: Excellent software and programming skills, particularly in Python, are required.
- Experience: Prior expertise in QCD, proton structure, or neutrino physics is highly encouraged.
Offer and Benefits
The successful applicant will be employed by the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the VU Amsterdam. Benefits include:
- A monthly gross salary between €3,706 and €5,760 (Scale 10 of the UNL collective labor agreement).
- A 2-year employment contract with the possibility of a one-year extension.
- 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
- A solid pension scheme (ABP) and contribution to commuting expenses.
- Flexible holiday leave entitlements (up to 232 hours per year for a 38-hour week).
How to Apply
Qualified applicants should apply through the Nikhef candidate portal. Applicants must provide:
- A comprehensive Curriculum Vitae (CV).
- A motivation letter.
- Contact details for three referents who can provide letters of recommendation (letters will only be requested for short-listed candidates).
For further information regarding this vacancy, you may contact Prof. Dr. Juan Rojo at j.rojo@nikhef.nl. The intended starting date is September 1, 2027, or shortly thereafter.
