Supervisors: Dr Linda Cremonesi (l.cremonesi@imperial.ac.uk) and Dr Alexander Booth (a.booth@imperial.ac.uk).
This PhD project aims to deepen our understanding of neutrino and antineutrino oscillations using two of the best experiments for this purpose, NOvA and DUNE. NOvA is a world-leading neutrino experiment based in the US. An intense beam of muon (anti)neutrinos is produced at Fermilab and directed 810 km to a far detector in Minnesota, which detects the (anti)neutrinos that reach it. DUNE is a future experiment, currently under construction; it will feature a more powerful beam, larger detectors, and more advanced technology than NOvA, providing higher statistics and a better understanding of neutrino interactions.
Dr Cremonesi’s work specialises in the interplay between neutrino interactions and neutrino oscillations. Her research focuses on the development of near detector analysis techniques (including the use of machine learning algorithms) for neutrino and antineutrino oscillation studies.
Project possibilities include:
- Analysis of data from NOvA on its own, as well as joint analysis with the other current-generation long-baseline experiment T2K.
- Development of machine learning reconstruction algorithms for the DUNE near detector.
- Physics sensitivity estimation for the DUNE neutrino oscillation programme.
We are looking for an enthusiastic student with a strong interest in and aptitude for particle physics, as well as good computing skills.
The studentship covers a maintenance bursary, similar to standard STFC studentships.
For further information, please contact Dr Linda Cremonesi (l.cremonesi@imperial.ac.uk).