TRIUMF
Canada's National Laboratory for Particle and Nuclear Physics
STUDENT JOB PROGRAM
Spring 2018 job posting
Job number TR18-1-18

Position Title:

NuPRISM R&D Analyst 

Name of Project:

Simulation and development of the NuPRISM multi-PMT photosensor 

Overview:

Neutrino oscillations are the only experimentally verified observation of a process not described by the Standard Model(SM) of particle physics. Since their discovery in 1998 we have learnt a lot about the parameters that govern these oscillations, but there are still many questions remaining. Perhaps the most exciting of these is to determine whether neutrino oscillations violate the charge-parity (CP) symmetry of the SM, and so could potentially explain why we live in a matter-dominated universe.
NuPRISM is the proposed intermediate detector for the Hyper-Kamiokande (HK) project, the next generation neutrino oscillation experiment in Japan. HK is the planned successor to the current Super-Kamiokande and T2K experiments and is expected to start taking data in 2026. It will be a powerful tool for exploring neutrino oscillations, as well as other phenomenon such as proton decay and supernovae neutrinos. The Canadian T2K group is working on a number of interesting R&D efforts aimed towards NuPRISM and HK.

The goal of this project is to assist in the simulation and development of the NuPRISM multi-PMT photosensor (mPMT). The mPMT is composed of a series of 3" photo-multiplier tubes placed inside a transparent pressure vessel along with their readout electronics. For this project you will be helping test the first mPMT prototype, relating the mPMT performance to the NuPRISM physics goals through the detector simulation.

Duties:

The main responsibility of the student would be to assist in the assembly and commissioning of the mPMT prototype. This will involve testing the response of the mPMT, and potentially the 3" PMTs it contains, to laser light. This will provide data on the light collection and angular efficiency of the mPMT which will then be implemented in the NuPRISM simulation. The second responsibility will be to use this simulation to understand the impact of the mPMT on the NuPRISM event selections, in particular measuring the intrinsic electron-like background at NuPRISM, which will provide an important constraint for the HK CPV analysis.

Skills learned during this work experience:

The student will gain experience in many aspects of a complicated physics problem. This will range from low level work on PMT hardware through to the development of event selection algorithms and physics studies with water Cherenkov neutrino detectors.

Qualifications:

We are looking for a motivated physics student to work on a exciting high energy physics project. The core skills that we are looking for include:
- C++ programming experience

- Good communication skills

- Comfortable with scientific computing and data analysis

Beneficial skills would include

- Experience with using Linux OS would be very beneficial

- Experience in large scale data analysis

- Experience with standard HEP software packages, in particular GEANT4 and ROOT

- Understanding of the basics of a particle physics detector, particularly of photo-multiplier tubes

Shiftwork required:

No

Period of work:

Jan - Apr 2018 with possible 4-month extension  
Salary is commensurate with academic progress and previous relevant work experience, and ranges from $ 2080 to $ 2800 per month plus 4% vacation pay.
TRIUMF pays round-trip airfare (this does not apply to Vancouver/Victoria students); for Vancouver Island students, TRIUMF will pay ferry costs.

TRIUMF is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace, and we welcome applications from all qualified undergraduate students as defined below:

  • Canadian undergraduate students or Canadian Permanent Resident undergraduate students enrolled in an accredited post secondary institution in Canada (or outside Canada) who are studying in a vocational or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate.
  • Foreign full-time undergraduate students currently enrolled at a designated learning institution at the post-secondary level, and who are studying in an academic, vocational or professional training program that leads to a degree, diploma or certificate that is at least six months in duration, and who have a valid Canadian study permit which allows for employment off-campus, and who have applied for a Social Insurance Number
  • Foreign undergraduate students enrolled in a recognized undergraduate program of study abroad who have accepted, or are in the process of accepting, an "Invitation to Apply" for a work permit under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/iec/apply.asp

Applications must be received at TRIUMF by 4:00pm Pacific time on 2017-09-20.

To apply for any of the job postings, you must submit one application for each and every job for which you wish to be considered. Please combine all documents into one PDF for each job. All applications can be attached to one email in PDF format. Please do not send electronic documents in formats other than PDF. Please save the PDF as lastname-job number (eg Smith-15.pdf)

    An application consists of a:
  • Covering letter
  • Resume
  • Transcript of all post secondary grades (unofficial copies are accepted)
  • in addition, an online application form must be filled out for each job
    Applications must also clearly indicate:
  • The number of academic terms completed (i.e. terms, semesters, or quarters)
  • The number of work terms completed (or the equivalent)
  • The TRIUMF Job Number must be clearly stated in the covering letter

Students within an university co-op program MUST apply for TRIUMF jobs through their university co-op education office.

Email to:

student@triumf.ca

Mail to:

TRIUMF Student Program
Job Number TR18-1-18
4004 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, B.C.
V6T 2A3

No phone calls please. TRIUMF wishes to thank all applicants for their interest, and regrets that only those being considered will be contacted.

TRIUMF is located on the campus of the University of British Columbia.
For more information, visit our web site
http://www.triumf.ca