PhD student in applied nuclear physics

About the company

Lund University was founded in 1666 and is repeatedly ranked as one of the world's leading academic institutions. There are approximately 46,000 students and 8,500 employees in Lund, Helsingborg, and Malmö. We are united in our endeavor to understand, explain, and improve our world and the conditions of human life. Lund University welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Equality, equal opportunities, and diversity are fundamental principles for all parts of our operations. Requirements profile The nuclear structure group at the Department of Particle and Nuclear Physics at Lund University is seeking a skilled and motivated PhD student to work on applying modern detectors used in studies of nuclear structure for environmental monitoring and emergency preparedness. The Department of Particle and Nuclear Physics, which has approximately 50 employees, conducts a wide spectrum of research in both theoretical and experimental particle and heavy-ion physics as well as experimental nuclear physics. The nuclear structure group is active in several international collaborations utilizing large-scale accelerator facilities worldwide. With this position, however, we aim to strengthen local collaborations with the group for Biospheric and Anthropogenic Radioactivity. Being a PhD student As a PhD student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University. As a doctoral researcher, you are trained in a scientific approach. This can be briefly described as gaining practice in thinking critically and analytically, solving problems independently using the correct choice of methods, and gaining research ethics awareness. Additionally, PhD students are given opportunities to work on projects, develop leadership skills, and develop pedagogical abilities. Throughout your period of study, you will be guided by supervisors. The doctoral studies conclude with a thesis and a doctoral degree. More information about being a PhD student at the Faculty of Science Subject and project description In the project "From Lundium to L.U.N.D.I.U.M." (Strålsäkerhetsmyndigheten), various modern components from the Lundium decay station for studies of superheavy elements will be repurposed for L.U.N.D.I.U.M.: Lund University Next-generation Device for Identification of Unknown radioactive sources and environmental Monitoring. L.U.N.D.I.U.M. will have world-leading capability to separate alpha particles, beta particles, and gamma radiation thanks to the detectors' high granularity and modern data acquisition systems for multi-coincidences. The research environment is interdisciplinary in both knowledge and practical activity, focusing on data analysis and simulations of complex datasets for use in radiation protection and preparedness within the disciplines of physics, occupational health, medical radiation physics, and environmental monitoring. We are now recruiting a PhD student who will be integrated into the research group and lead the development of L.U.N.D.I.U.M. from conceptualization and optimization via Monte Carlo simulations in Geant4 to the realization of the measurement station. During specific periods of their doctoral training, the PhD student will collaborate with the group for Biospheric and Anthropogenic Radioactivity regarding sample collection and sample preparation. Tasks Primarily, you will devote yourself to your doctoral training, which includes participating in research projects as well as doctoral training courses, seminars, and conferences. The PhD project aims to meet the need to expand the Swedish network for environmental monitoring and preparedness through the development and use of a new facility for nuclear technical investigations. The tasks include: Optimizing the geometry and elements of the new measurement station via Monte Carlo simulations by applying existing state-of-the-art detector components for measuring different types of environmental filters and electroplated samples. Carrying out and coordinating the mechanical construction of the measurement station as well as developing its data acquisition system and framework for data analysis. Validation of measurements with simulated contamination samples provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for annual proficiency tests. Developing methods, in close collaboration with the group for Biospheric and Anthropogenic Radioactivity, to analyze radioactive aerosols from environmental samples.

Your tasks

During different stages of the project, close collaboration is anticipated with researchers at Jyväskylä University in Finland, who are responsible for a comparable measurement station. The research projects will be reported in the form of articles submitted for publication in scientific journals, reports to the funder, and conference contributions. The tasks include participation in teaching and other departmental work (however, a maximum of 20% of the working time). Qualifications To be admitted and employed as a PhD student, you must meet the requirements below. Special eligibility A person meets the special eligibility requirements for doctoral-level education in physics if the person: has at least 45 higher education credits at an advanced level in physics or technical physics or a related subject area, or has a degree at an advanced level (master's degree) in physics or technical physics or a related subject area.

Requirements

Special eligibility requirements may also have been met through other equivalent education, which is assessed in each individual case. Finally, the student must be assessed to have the prerequisites to assimilate the education and to be able to complete the education. Other requirements To undertake the current doctoral training, the following are also required: completed courses that have at least 60 higher education credits of direct relevance to the PhD student's doctoral-level education good ability for independent work and the ability to formulate and approach scientific problems good ability in written and oral communication good collaborative skills very good knowledge of English, both spoken and written interest in interdisciplinary work