The project is part of the projectruimte proposal 'A STARry-eyed look at color glass'. The purpose of this research is to study possible experimental hints for a drastic modification of the internal structure of protons and neutrons in heavy nuclei, as predicted by models of subatomic interactions.
Quarks are the fundamental constituents of protons and neutrons, and gluons govern their mutual interaction. Early theories of these interactions had predicted that we should find inside a proton an increasing number of gluons with smaller and smaller momenta, which would lead to an unphysical divergence. In more advanced theories this is remedied, the exact way in which this happens is however not yet known. One of those theories predicts the gluons, ie. the quanta of the basic field of this interaction, the 'color field', to develop into a special state of high density which could be described by classical equations. This state could be regarded as the first occurrence of a 'macroscopic' field related to a subatomic force.
Currently it is believed that the best opportunities to observe this state is in collisions of deuterium nuclei with gold nuclei at extremely high energy. These can be performed at the RHIC particle accelerator in Brookhaven, Long Island, and be observed by the STAR experiment, one of the large detectors installed at RHIC.
Particularly sensitive should be measurements of the momentum distributions of neutral pions and of their mutual correlations. The student will in particular participate in upgrading the detector to make it more sensitive to the observations, and take part in measurements, analysis and interpretation. While the work will be predominantly experimental, it is expected that the student also acquires a solid theoretical background in the topic. A significant part (6-12 months) of the contract time will be spent at the accelerator site in the USA.

University Graduate
The candidate should have a degree at the master's level in physics. Knowledge of subatomic physics is an advantage.

- Teaching & Research (Scientific expertise: Natural Sciences)
- Research trainees, non-tenured lecturers, researchers (Scientific expertise: Natural Sciences)

Foundation for Fundamental Research on Matter

The research will be carried out in the Subatomic Physics Institute of the University of Utrecht in close collaboration with the Institute of Theoretical Physics. Both Institutes work closely together with the NIKHEF research institute at Amsterdam, where part of the groups are located. The major research line of the Subatomic Physics Institute consists of the ALICE FOM-programme, where collisions of high-energetic nuclei are studied in the quest for the quark-gluon plasma. Within this programme the group participates in the STAR experiment which is being performed at Brookhaven National Laboratory near New York City.

Estimated maximum salary per month: eur 2000 - 2500

Maximum salary amount in Euro's a month 2367
Employment basis: Temporary for specified period
Duration of the contract: 4 year
Maximum hours per week: 40

Additional conditions of employment:
When fulfilling a PhD position at the FOM foundation, you will get the status of junior scientist. You will have an employee status and can participate in all the employee benefits FOM offers.
The conditions of employment of the FOM-foundation are laid down in the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres (CAO-Onderzoekinstellingen), more exclusive information is available at the FOM website under Personeelsinfo (in Dutch) or under Personnel (in English).

Additional information about the vacancy can be obtained from:

Prof.dr. Thomas Peitzmann
Telephone number: +31.30.253 25 12
E-mail address:

Prof.dr. Eric Laenen
E-mail address:

 
Or additional information can be obtained through one of the following links.

You can apply for this job by sending your application to:

Applications including a CV, the teaching programme you followed in the Master's (with grades) and the names of two referees should be sent (preferably by email).

When applying for this job always mention the vacancynumber AT-298.