Physicist Programmer; Research Fellow in Particle Physics

Physicist Programmer (Research Fellow) in Particle Physics

Location: Bailrigg, Lancaster, UK
Salary: £48,822 to £56,535 (Full time, indefinite with end date)
Closing Date: Sunday 15 March 2026
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Reference: 0083-26

We are seeking to appoint a Physicist Programmer (Research Fellow) to join the Experimental Particle Physics Group from 13th April 2026 or as soon as possible thereafter. You would work under the supervision of Professor Helen O’Keeffe.

This role supports the Tokai to Kamioka (T2K) and Hyper-Kamiokande experiments. T2K is a long-baseline neutrino experiment situated in Japan that utilises an intense beam of muon (anti) neutrinos to make precision measurements of neutrino oscillation parameters and interaction cross sections. Within the T2K collaboration, the Lancaster group specialises in developing samples for inclusion in the near detector fitting framework for the oscillation analysis and support for the near detector software framework.

The Hyper-Kamiokande experiment is a next-generation long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment that is currently under construction in Japan. Hyper-Kamiokande will use an upgraded (anti) neutrino beam and a water Cherenkov detector approximately eight times larger than that used in T2K. The group has significant roles in the development of the simulation software framework, data acquisition and trigger systems, and sensitivity studies for the oscillation analysis.

You will be expected to make significant, leading contributions to software development and support across multiple experiments within the Lancaster Experimental Particle Physics Group. This includes ensuring the readiness of software packages, providing documentation, managing the release of software productions and supporting collaborators for T2K; and developing software-based trigger systems and simulation software for Hyper-Kamiokande. Involvement with other experiments in the group is also expected.

Relevant experience in particle physics software development, simulation, and data acquisition. Familiarity with neutrino experiments and high-performance computing environments is desirable. Fluency in English and ability to work in a collaborative research environment are required.

Lancaster University is consistently ranked in the top 10 in the UK university league tables and is located on a beautiful campus in the North-West of England close to the Lake District National Park.

The Department of Physics is committed to family-friendly and flexible working policies on an individual basis, and to the Athena SWAN Charter. We are strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our department.

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Helen O’Keeffe () or Professor Roger Jones ().