Ph.D Students

We always welcome self-motivated students joining us! There is a wide spectrum of research that can be done in our group.

Students should show a strong research and academic background in one or more of the following areas: Physics, Mathematics, CS, EEE, etc.

Undergraduate and Master's students are encouraged to contact Dr. Shengchao Li to express his/her interest in pursuing a Ph.D. degree in Physics at Westlake University.

Westlake University Admissions Dynamics: PH.D.PROGRAMS

Research Assistants

We welcome intern students in our lab, we have already hosted students from China (including Hong Kong) and the United Kingdom. Please drop an inquiry and we will be in contact.

Postdocs

The Department of Physics at Westlake University (China) invites applications for one postdoctoral research fellow to work with Dr. Shengchao Li in experimental particle physics. Successful candidates are expected to work on the XENONnT, RELICS, and a small liquid xenon detector at Westlake (see below), or any combination of them.  

The initial appointment for this position is for two years, with the possibility of renewal for a third year. Successful applicants will be automatically qualified to apply for the “High-level talent” program in Hangzhou for additional financial support and benefits. The group maintains strong partnerships with institutions both domestically and internationally across Asia, Europe, and North America. Visits to these institutions will be actively encouraged and supported.

Position requirements:

1) Conduct original research independently and in collaboration.

2) Prepare research papers for publication.

3) Present research achievements at seminars and conferences.

Other requirements:

Having obtained or about to obtain a Ph.D. degree in physics (e.g., experimental high energy physics, experimental nuclear physics), or a related field at the time of the appointment, aged under 35.

Research directions (qualified candidates are encouraged to work on one or two of them):

1) Work on the XENONnT dark matter experiment, currently taking data at INFN Gran Sasso National Laboratory, Italy. It is aiming to explore rare physics processes such as signals from the WIMP Dark Matter. Our group works on various XENON analysis topics and leads the calibration efforts.  The research topics can be discussed further based on candidates' interests and strengths. Communication skills and international travel are required for this position. Familiarity with coding, software development, calibration systems, simulation, and statistics are considered advantages in this application.

2) Work on the RELICS experiment, a liquid xenon TPC for CEvNS to be instrumented in 2025 at Sanmen, Zhejiang, China. Our group is developing plastic scintillator detectors that work as muon and neutron veto inside the water shielding.  We are also working on the photosensor and readout system for the experiment. Experiences with pixelated detectors, plastic/liquid scintillator detectors, and liquid xenon TPCs are considered advantages in this application. Local testing of these detector systems will be carried both in Hangzhou and Sanmen.

3) Work on the Xihu local TPC, established as an R&D platform for the next-generation dark matter experiment. We want to test and optimize a few technical challenges towards the LXeTPC technology, currently leading the direct search for dark matter. Our system will be set up and running in 2024, where candidates are expected to work on the full chain of the experiment (DAQ, slow control, cryogenic systems, purification, calibration, etc.). Experience with cryogenic detectors is highly appreciated.

Required Application Materials:

1) Cover letter

2) Curriculum Vitae with a publication list

3) Research proposal (2-page max, related to the aforementioned research directions)

4) Two or three reference letters

Please send the following documents in English in PDF format to lishengchao@westlake.edu.cn, and indicate “Postdoc Application” in the email subject. For those who meet the requirements and pass the preliminary examination, we will inform you to arrange an interview.