项目介绍

2026年10月24日

The Nuclear Structure Group at the Division of Particle and Nuclear Physics at Lund University is seeking a skilled and highly motivated PhD student to work on upcycling state-of-the-art detectors used in nuclear structure studies for environmental monitoring and emergency preparedness. The Division of Particle and Nuclear Physics, which has approximately 50 employees, conducts a broad range 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 exploiting large-scale accelerator facilities across the globe. With the present position, however, we thrive to intensify local collaborations with the Biospheric and Anthropogenic Radioactivity group.

Being a doctoral student

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University.
As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.
More about being a doctoral student at the Science Faculty.  

Project Description

The project “From Lundium to L.U.N.D.I.U.M.” (Swedish Radiation Safety Authority) will see the upcycling of various state-of-the-art components of the Lundium decay station for studies of Super Heavy Elements into L.U.N.D.I.U.M.: the Lund University Next-generation Device for Identification of Unknown radioactive sources and environmental Monitoring. L.U.N.D.I.U.M. will have unprecedented alpha-beta-gamma resolving capabilities stemming from its high granularity of detector components and contemporary multi-coincidence data acquisition systems.

The research environment constitutes an interdisciplinary community of knowledge and practice focused on data analysis and simulations of complex datasets to be used for radiation safety and emergency preparedness within the disciplines of physics, work environment, medical radiation physics, and environmental monitoring.

We are now recruiting one PhD student to be integrated into the research group and lead this development from conceptualization and optimization via Monte Carlo Geant4 simulations to realization of the device.

The PhD student will collaborate during specific phases of their doctoral education, with the Biospheric and Anthropogenic Radioactivity group for sample collection and preparation.

Work duties

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral programme, which includes participation in research projects as well as third cycle courses, seminars and conferences. 

The PhD project will address the need for expanding the Swedish network of environmental monitor and emergency preparedness with the development and usage of a new-generation device for nuclear forensics. The tasks include:

• Optimize via Monte Carlo simulations the geometry and elements of the new device upcycling the existing state-of-the-art detector components for measurement of various types of environmental filter and electroplated samples.
• Conduct and coordinate the mechanical construction of the device and develop its data acquisition system and data analysis framework.
• Validation of the measurements using simulated contamination samples provided by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for yearly proficiency tests.
• In close collaboration with the Biospheric and Anthropogenic Radioactivity group, develop methods to analyse radioactive aerosols from environmental samples.

At various stages of the project, close collaboration is envisaged with researchers at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, in charge of a comparable measurement station.

The research projects will be reported in the form of articles submitted for publication in scientific journals, reports to the funding organisation, and conference contributions.

The duties also include participation in teaching and other departmental work (up to a maximum of 20% of working time).

Qualifications

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfil the requirements below.

Specific admission requirements

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third-cycle programme in Physics, if they:

• has at least 45 second cycle credits in physics or engineering physics or an associated field, or
• has a second cycle (master) degree in physics or engineering physics or an associated field.

The specific entry requirement may also have been obtained through other equivalent education, which is assessed in each individual case. Finally, the student must be judged to have the potential to complete the programme.

 Additional requirements

In order to complete the doctoral programme in question, the following are also required:

• completion of courses amounting to at least 60 credits that are directly relevant to the PhD education
• a strong ability to work independently and the ability to formulate and address scientific problems
• good written and oral communication skills
• good ability to collaborate
• very good proficiency in English, both spoken and written
• an interest in interdisciplinary work

Other qualifications (advantages)

For the doctoral programme in question, the following are considered as other qualifications:

• excellent laboratory skills concerning contemporary radiation detectors
• proficiency with multi-parameter data acquisition systems
• proficiency in modern object oriented programming
• knowledge of environmental radioactivity or radioecology knowledge of radionuclide production in nuclear power plants and spallation sources
• previous experience to ionizing radiation detection
• previous experience with Monte Carlo radiation transport codes

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. It is advisable to enter information on what your unit specifically can offer as a workplace.

More information about working at Lund University on lu.se. 

About the employment

The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting 1 January 2027 at the earliest. Third cycle studies consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

More information about terms of employment for doctoral students on Lund University’s Staffpages.

Other

Selection for admission to doctoral studies is based on the assessed ability to successfully complete the doctoral education. The assessment of this ability is primarily based on study results at the first- and second-cycle (Bachelor’s and Master’s) levels.

The following criteria will be considered:

• Knowledge and skills relevant to the doctoral project and the field of study, as described under Work duties. These may be demonstrated through submitted documentation.
• Assessed ability to work independently and to formulate and address scientific problems. This assessment may, for example, be based on the degree project and a discussion thereof during a potential interview.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Other experience relevant to doctoral studies, such as professional experience.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, initiative, independence, and personal suitability, as well as to how the applicant’s experience and competence are assessed to demonstrate the ability required to complete the doctoral education.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include:

• CV and a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the doctoral programme/employment and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background.
• Copies of issued study certificates and/or awarded degree certificates. These must confirm that you meet the general and specific admission requirements for the doctoral programme and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral programme project.
• Other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.)

We welcome your application!