The Higgs boson was discovered by the ATLAS and CMS experiments at CERN in 2011. Since then a wide range of measurements have been made of the various ways that the Higgs boson can be produced and decay. All of these so far are consistent with the Standard Model (SM) of particle physics. However, one critical area that has yet to be investigation of Higgs decays to muon pairs. Muons are the first 2nd generation particles within the SM that are possible to investigate, and the LHC data that is now being collected will be sufficient to detect them. If the rate of this decay differs from SM prediction, this would be the first sign of new particles and interactions beyond the SM.

This project offers the opportunity to be involved in the analysis of Run 3 ATLAS data, which is expected to be sufficient for the first direct observation of Higgs decays to muon pairs. This discovery will be a milestone in itself, but if the results differ from SM predictions then this thesis project will be even more exciting! The PhD candidate will work alongside Higgs boson and ATLAS experts at Queen Mary, supervised by Dr Seth Zenz and with the involvement of other academics, a PDRA and other PhD students working on similar projects.

This PhD is funded for 3.5 years and includes:

-       Comprehensive graduate training in particle physics including the phenomenology and theory of the Standard Model

-       Attendance at a 2-week intensive residential national Summer School on particle physics

-       Full funding for long term assignment to the CERN Laboratory in Geneva, in order to collaborate with international colleagues. (Typically 1 year.)

For informal enquiries about this position, please contact: Dr Seth Zenz

E-mail: s.zenz@qmul.ac.uk

To apply for this studentship and for entry on to the Particle Physics programme (Full Time) please follow the instructions detailed on the following webpage:

Further Guidance: http://www.qmul.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/

• Available to Home applicants.

• Applicant required to start in January 2024.

• The studentship arrangement will cover home tuition fees and provide an annual stipend for up to 3.5 years (Currently set for 2022/23 as £19,688).

• The minimum requirement for this studentship opportunity is a good Honours degree (minimum 2(i) honours or equivalent) or MSc/MRes in a relevant discipline.