PhD Position in Astroparticle Physics: Radio Detection of Cosmic Particles at SWGO Radboud University in Netherlands

Radboud University is offering a fully funded PhD position in astroparticle physics, focusing on the integration of radio antennas into the Southern Wide-view Gamma-ray Observatory (SWGO) to study cosmic particle interactions with the atmosphere. The SWGO, located in the Atacama Astronomical Park in Chile, will be a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to investigating the most energetic photons ever observed. The observatory will use water-Cherenkov particle detectors to observe air showers produced by cosmic and gamma rays, and this PhD project will augment these detectors with radio antennas, enabling more precise studies of atmospheric interactions and expanding the observatory’s sensitivity to high-energy photons.

The successful candidate will develop novel analysis techniques using interferometry on radio signals, aiming to lower the energy threshold for radio detection and improve the reconstruction of air shower parameters. The project is embedded within the SWGO collaboration and leverages the expertise of Radboud University's High Energy Physics Department, part of the Institute for Mathematics, Astrophysics and Particle Physics (IMAPP). IMAPP is renowned for its research in particle physics and quantum gravity and collaborates with major international projects such as ATLAS at CERN, DUNE, and the Pierre Auger Observatory.

The department offers a vibrant research environment with 15 staff scientists and about 30 PhD candidates and postdocs. The position includes a 10% teaching load and is funded by an ERC-CoG grant. Employment conditions are excellent, with a 4-year contract (initial 1.5 years, extendable to 4 years upon positive evaluation), competitive salary, generous holiday and end-of-year bonuses, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Applicants should have a Master's degree in physics or astronomy, strong English skills, and experience in data analysis. The application deadline is November 26, 2025, with interviews scheduled for December 3, 2025, and possible second interviews on January 7, 2026. The preferred start date is before April 2026.

For more information, contact Dr. Harm Schoorlemmer at [email protected].