SHORT PHD STUDENTSHIP PROJECTS

Are you a nuclear and/or particle physics PhD post-graduate looking to gain industrial experience?

If you are, consider applying to Geoptic where we have a range of interesting applied scientific and engineering projects to get involved with, including:

  • Using the cosmic ray muon background to aid positioning in GPS-denied environments

  • Locating and characterising old 19th century construction shafts on the UK’s railway network using cosmic ray muons

  • Imaging old mining works using cosmic ray muons to aid the safety of existing mines

  • Simulations of geological disposal facilities to support early-stage studies studies

Geoptic is an innovative start-up bringing nuclear and particle physics techniques to hard industrial engineering diagnostic problems. Our typical day-to-day work includes the high performance simulation, design, and development of nuclear and particle physics based measurement systems for harsh environments. Training will be given in all areas, from our GEANT4-based simulation software to practical detector and system integration testing. We complement our advanced particle detector measurements with statistical analysis techniques to quantify our confidence in the results.

We’re looking to support early-stage Physicists into pursuing careers in applied industrial cosmic ray measurements. The exciting career path is open to those with a nuclear and particle physics background, who are able to demonstrate…

  • A working experience of C/C++ in experimental data analyses before. Ideally, C++ analysis and simulation packages such as GEANT4 and ROOT would mean that you hit the ground running.

  • The ability to adapt to, or develop in Python, within Jupyter notebooks, and the SciPy, NumPy, Matplotlib, and scikit-learn libraries

  • Good foundational knowledge of, and ideally hands-on with, radiation detectors and their sub-systems, particularly we’re looking for well-honed laboratory testing and problem-solving skills

We offer a paid placement over 3 to 6 months depending on your availability and relocation support for experimental projects based at Geoptic. Travel is encouraged to widen the experience, and there is potential to support projects within the UK, Finland, Norway and wider Europe; as a result of the travel opportunities, a valid driving license and passport are also required.

If you are interested, please get in touch by sending your CV and covering email to [email protected].

We’re happy to work with you and your university supervisor to discuss further how this project would complement and fit around your studies.

Our office and lab are based in a semi-rural location in Hampshire, close to the towns of Farnham, Alton, and Basingstoke. There are good road links, to the north is junction 5 of the M3 in 10 minutes, or 15 minutes to the A31 to the south. Hook train station, on the mainline to Waterloo, is also 10 minutes away by car.