Particle physics with ultracold neutrons student project (Fully On-site)

TRIUMF

Vancouver, Canada

Particle physics with ultracold neutrons student project (Fully On-site)

TRIUMF is Canada’s particle accelerator centre, and one of the world’s leading laboratories for particle and nuclear physics and accelerator-based science. We are an international centre for discovery and innovation, advancing fundamental, applied, and interdisciplinary research for science, medicine, and business.

At TRIUMF, we’re passionate about accelerating discovery and innovation to improve lives and build a better world. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are integral to excellence and enhance our ability to create knowledge and opportunity for all. Together, we are committed to building an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the voices of our employees, students, partners, and the people and communities we serve.

TRIUMF’s student program typically hires ~40 students each term from across all disciplines who hang together socially and professionally during the term, and beyond. Our program offers young minds a chance to gather, learn, make new friends, and have fun doing so during their time at TRIUMF. We hold weekly ProD sessions for students which include different activities such as conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and active listening. Additionally, we hold weekly seminars about the different experiments at TRIUMF, and these talks are catered to students specifically. Located on the UBC campus makes it easier for students to make friends, create memories, and explore Vancouver all while working at TRIUMF.

TRIUMF’s student program is more than just a place to work, its learning, memories, friendships, exploration, development all clubbed into one.

Discover Our Lab

One of the largest fundamental mysteries in Physics is that of the asymmetry between matter and anti-matter. The matter present in the universe was created from the energy present at the time of the Big Bang, from the production of particle and anti-particle pairs. Most of these pairs eventually annihilated and were transformed back into energy, but since we observe “stuff” to exist in our universe (as indeed we too are made of stuff) it must be that more matter was produced than anti-matter. New physics models capable of answering this open question require a non-zero neutron electric dipole moment (nEDM). Placing experimental limits on the nEDM is so critical for determining the validity of these new models that nEDM measurements have become the flagship of fundamental neutron physics.

As chargeless particles, neutrons will typically pass through materials making them diffiult to work with. However, when cooled to the incredibly low temperatures (such that they have velocities of ~8 m/s) they are reflected from the surfaces of a variety of materials, allowing them to be transported and confined almost as if they were a normal gas. In 2017, our collaboration produced the first ultracold neutrons (UCNs) in Canada. With the facility in the process of being designed and commissioned, various opportunities exist for an undergrad student to contribute in a significant way to the success and future design of the nEDM experiment.

Duties:

We are looking for a student to stay with our project for one or two terms. The student will work on developing equipment for the purpose of characterizing the magnetic fields used in the nEDM measurement.

The student’s duties will be balanced between hands-on tasks in the laboratory or the experimental area, and analysis work such as the development of 3D computer models or analytical investigations using tools such as CAD software, finite element analysis, computing software, or simulation packages (e.g. SolidWorks, opera, matlab, GEANT4, or similar). Hands-on tasks will be related to the design and/or commissioning of test-setups geared towards the nEDM apparatus. Actively participating in the conceptual design, installation work and measurement campaigns of both, the nEDM and the UCN source will be crucial to the students activities.

This work will be carried out in an international team environment. Team members from our Japanese-Canadian UCN-nEDM collaboration include physicists and graduate students from KEK, U. Osaka, RCNP, UBC, UNCB, U. Manitoba, U. Winnipeg, SFU, and TRIUMF). The student will communicate to other collaboration members and give updates about their work regularly during oral presentations and written reports.

Skills Learned During This Work Experience:

The student will be familiarized with topics in fundamental neutron physics, high precision measurement applications, and particle physics techniques. They will be able to enhance their analytical skills, and will be able to apply any prior work or training experience to fundamental research. The student will be able to take part in the daily life of an experimental physics collaboration and contribute to the advancement of the project.

Participation in our weekly international status meetings for the UCN source and EDM experiment will introduce the student into the world international collaboration. The student will be able to improve their communication skills and their ability to clearly present technical and scientific concepts to peers.

Additionally, throughout the work term student lectures from the TRIUMF coop program offers exposure to other scientific projects in the Canadian subatomic physics community.

We are providing a stimulating environment for students to learn new things while contributing significantly to the overall progress of the UCN/nEDM project.

Qualifications:

• Third or Fourth year physics, engineering physics (Eng.Phys.), or mechanical engineering students with some experimental experience.
• Strong interest or affinity for experimental techniques and development.
• Basic knowledge of common programming languages/applications will be an asset (Python, C/C++, Matlab, Labview, LaTex, etc).
• Experience using CAD software (ideally SolidWorks) is recommended.
• Some experience using FEA software (e.g. ANSYS, Opera, FEMM) and linux-based environments would be advantageous.
• Experience gathered in previous coop terms is appreciated.

We expect the student to work independently on given tasks after proper introduction to the topic and with support from other team members when problems arise.

Skills required:
C++ Programming Language, Computer Programming, Conducting Experiments, Experiment Planning, Geant4, Linux, MATLAB, National Instruments LabVIEW, Opera, Particle Physics, Python, SolidWorks 3D Modeling, Undergraduate Research, Wolfram Mathematica

TRIUMF is located on the south campus of the University of British Columbia, in the heart of Pacific Spirit Park in Vancouver, BC. Salary is commensurate with academic progress and previous relevant work experience.

TRIUMF offers help with travel costs for students outside the Vancouver and surrounding area.

Applications must have the following documents uploaded:

• A resume/CV
• A covering letter that includes your interest in and your qualifications for the specific position
• A copy of academic transcript (unofficial copies are accepted)

Incomplete applications may not be considered.

Applications closing date:
May 22, 2023

Period of Work (possible 4 month extension):
September 05, 2023-December 22, 2023

As a requirement of this position, the successful candidate will need to provide acceptable proof that they have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19, or demonstrate that they are unable to be vaccinated against COVID-19 for reasons protected under the BC Human Rights Code. TRIUMF will grant reasonable accommodation requests up to the point of undue hardship.

Salary is commensurate with academic progress and previous relevant work experience, and ranges from $ 2469 to $ 3266 per month including 4% vacation pay.

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.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/iec/apply-work-permit.html.

At TRIUMF, we’re passionate about accelerating discovery and innovation to improve lives and build a better world. Equity, diversity, and inclusion are integral to excellence and enhance our ability to create knowledge and opportunity for all.

Together, we are committed to building an inclusive culture that encourages, supports, and celebrates the voices of our employees, students, partners, and the people and communities we serve.

Contact information:
Email: student@triumf.ca
Phone: 604.222.1047
Fax: 604.222.3791

4004 Wesbrook Mall
Vancouver, BC
V6T 2A3