Research Assistant 2

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Hiring Unit:

Department of Physics - Prof. B. Vachon
Position Summary:

The McGill Subatomic Physics Instrumentation Group invites applications for a Research Assistant 2 to support the development of cutting-edge scientific instruments for subatomic physics research at McGill University.

The group is a key contributor to one of the largest international collaborations in particle physics responsible for the design and operation of the ATLAS experiment, at the CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in Switzerland. Our work focuses on building and maintaining advanced detectors and instrumentation to study the fundamental properties of matter. This includes developing technologies such as gas/liquid ionization detectors, cutting-edge FPGA-based electronics, and sophisticated digital signal processing systems.

Position Overview:

The Research Assistant 2 will play a critical role in the development and production of large-scale, custom-designed digital signal processing readout systems for the ATLAS Liquid Argon Calorimeter Upgrade at CERN. The position involves creating and implementing quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) tests, designing testbenches, and contributing to firmware programming for state-of-the-art FPGA architectures, primarily Intel FPGAs.  The successful candidate will collaborate closely with researchers at McGill and partners worldwide, leveraging industry-standard tools and technologies to ensure the quality and reliability of the developed systems.

The Research Assistant 2 will report directly to the McGill Principal Investigator.

Key Responsibilities:

Develop and Implement QA/QC Tests:

• Design and implement QA/QC tests for digital electronics readout systems.
• Ensure test reliability and document results to contribute to system validation.

Collaborate with International Teams:

• Work with faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, and international collaborators to develop, implement, and refine test stand solutions for the ATLAS detector upgrade.
• Support Research Activities:
• Manage multiple research tasks, including experiment setup, data collection, and analysis.
• Recommend and implement improvements to existing methods and processes.
• Contribute to research publications and technical documentation.

Train and Guide Team Members:

• Provide technical guidance and training to students, postdoctoral researchers, and technicians.

Perform Administrative and Technical Tasks:

• Coordinate procurement, shipping, installation, maintenance and operation of specialized equipment.
• Stay informed of emerging industry practices and integrate relevant advancements into project workflows.

Qualifications:

• Experience in conceptualizing, designing, implementing, and testing digital electronics systems using FPGA-based architectures.
• Hands-on experience in firmware programming and using tools such Intel Quartus and Modelsim/Questa.
• Strong troubleshooting and problem-solving abilities with attention to detail.
• Ability to adapt quickly to evolving technical challenges and environments.
• Demonstrated capability to manage multiple projects and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and collaboration skills.

Education and Experience:

• Master’s degree (or higher) in Electronics Engineering or a related field with relevant professional experience.

Position Details:

The successful candidate will be based full-time at McGill University, Montreal, Canada. The position will involve occasional short-term travel for professional purposes.

This is a renewable, limited-term position. The initial appointment will be for 1 year, with the possibility of extension. Salary and schedule will be determined based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and skills.

Application Process:

Interested applicants are invited to submit the following materials:

A curriculum vitae detailing relevant experience. A list of at least three references. A summary report of a completed project relevant to the position. All materials will be treated confidentially.

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.
McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.

Hourly Salary:

$34.80

Hours per Week:

35 (Full time)

Location:

Rutherford Physics

Supervisor:

Professor

Position Start Date:

2025-02-26

Position End Date:

2026-03-31

Deadline to Apply:

2025-04-03

This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, accessibilityrequest.hr@mcgill.ca .