Particle Physics

Tomas Sykora examines topological physics that perturbation theory cannot capture. Complex field configurations in path integrals include solitons, monopoles, domain walls, cosmic strings, sphalerons, baryon junctions and instantons; non-perturbative effects are central to confinement and hadron masses and spins. Starting with tunnelling in a double-well potential and imaginary time, the talk follows instantons into QCD, covering the theta vacuum, strong CP and axions, chiral symmetry breaking, topology and resurgence. It also considers whether a gluonic Y-shaped baryon junction carries baryon number instead of the valence quarks. The experimental discussion reviews instanton searches at HERA and the LHC, junction searches at RHIC, and prospective Electron-Ion Collider tests. No confirmed signal is claimed. Speaker: Tomas Sykora, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University. Organized by Jiří Hejbal and Roman Lysák at FZU. Thursday 15 October 2026, 10:00–11:00 Europe/Prague (CEST). Attend at Dvořák Hall, FZU, Pod Vodárenskou věží 1, Prague, Czechia, or use the public Zoom link on the organizer’s event page.

You are viewing this opportunity on our Indigenous-only applications page Join the School of Physics and Astronomy within the Faculty of Science as a Research Fellow and contribute to internationally recognised research in experimental particle physics. You will undertake high-impact research using data from the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) Run 3, with a focus on better understanding the Standard Model and identifying potential Beyond the Standard Model effects through the analysis of data from the LHCb experiment. Working within Monash’s experimental particle physics group, you will contribute to research that complements and extends the group’s existing program, with opportunities across areas including rare b-hadron decays, doubly heavy hadron production, charm CP violation and forbidden hyperon decays. You will also have the opportunity to combine experimental data analysis with phenomenological studies and contribute to the LHCb simulation framework, working closely with QCD phenomenologists at Monash. This role forms part of the final research phase of the Monash Warwick Alliance in Particle Physics (MWAPP) collaboration, with the research program scheduled for completion by Q3 2029. You will also have opportunities to contribute to research and development for the future LHCb Upgrade II or experiments at a future electron–positron collider, including emerging detector technologies such as SiPMs for single-photon timing measurements. The successful candidate must hold a PhD in particle physics or a closely related discipline. This is an exciting opportunity to develop your research expertise, collaborate within a leading particle physics research environment, and contribute to the search for new physics through the analysis of cutting-edge LHC data and the development of technologies for future experiments. Job No.: 694525 Location: Clayton campus Employment Type: Full-time Duration: 3-year fixed-term appointment Remuneration: $86,195 - $116,981 pa Level A (plus 17% employer superannuation)