Neutrino Physics with the T2K and/or Hyper-Kamiokande experiments.

Precision measurements of neutrino oscillations could help understand why the universe is dominated by matter. Tokai to Kamioka (T2K) is a current generation long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment located in Japan. The T2K experiment uses an intense beam of neutrinos produced by the J-PARC accelerator complex. The beam is characterised by detectors located 280 m (ND280) and 295 km (Super-K) downstream of the neutrino production point. The T2K near detector (ND280) has been recently upgraded, which provides an exciting opportunity to improve particle identification and event selection methods that are used in cross-section and oscillation analyses. 

The Hyper-Kamiokande experiment is a next-generation long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment that is currently under construction in Japan. Hyper-Kamiokande will have greater sensitivity to CP-violation in the neutrino sector and will also undertake a rich programme of physics, including studies of proton decay, atmospheric and solar neutrinos, and neutrinos emitted by a supernova.

This studentship will focus on analysis of data from the T2K experiment and its use in the measurement of neutrino oscillation parameters. The student will also be involved with the Hyper-Kamiokande experiment, participating the design of triggers for use in the experiment and/or physics sensitivity studies. Long- and short-term visits to Japan to support data taking (T2K) and/or construction (Hyper-Kamiokande) are possible. 

The Lancaster Physics Department holds an Athena SWAN silver award and Institute of Physics JUNO Championship status and is strongly committed to fostering inclusion and diversity within its community.

Applicants are expected to have the equivalent of a first (1) or upper second (2.1) degree class in Physics or Astrophysics, supplemented by a relevant Master’s-level qualification. Potential applicants are invited to apply to the physics department through this link: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/physics/study/phd/ stating the title of the project and the name of the supervisor.  Please contact [email protected] for further information.