Doctoral student in applied medical physics (M/F)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

Title : Measurements of secondary particles for space radiation protection and hadrontherapy

The growing interest in long-duration exploratory space missions requires an accurate characterization of the space radiation environment. Galactic cosmic rays (GCR), composed of highly energetic particles ranging from protons to heavy ions, represent the main radiological risk for astronauts. Unlike terrestrial radiation, largely shielded by Earth's magnetic field, a three-year mission to Mars could result in a whole-body dose approaching 1 Sv, significantly increasing radiation-related health risks.
A precise estimation of the space radiation field is therefore crucial. In particular, interactions between GCR, biological tissues, and shielding materials produce secondary particles that may contribute substantially to the received dose. The current lack of nuclear data for high-energy charged particles (HZE) limits the reliability of analytical and Monte Carlo models, which can differ by more than a factor of two in dose estimates. Moreover, while the physical properties of secondary particles are relatively well studied, the chemical processes linking physical interactions to biological damage remain insufficiently explored.
The CLINM project (Cross-Sections of Light Ions and Neutron Measurements), funded by the ANR since January 2024, aims to provide a global characterization of secondary particles produced by GCR interactions with tissues and shielding materials, including their chemical effects. Within this framework, the DeSIS team recruits a PhD student to work on the physical characterization of the CLINM experimental setup, designed to measure secondary particles from GCR nuclear interactions.
The PhD work will focus on experimental measurements of secondary particles relevant to space radiation protection and on data analysis. Experiments will be carried out using ion beams representative of the space environment (⁴He, ¹²C, ¹⁶O, ⁵⁶Fe) at accelerator facilities, as well as at neutron facilities. Experimental results will be compared with Monte Carlo simulations using Geant4 and Geant4-DNA. The PhD student will benefit from established international collaborations, and the position is funded jointly by the ANR and the CNES.

Your Work Environment

The thesis will be affiliated with the Doctoral School of Physics and Physical Chemistry at the University of Strasbourg (ED182) and will be conducted at the laboratory IPHC.
The IPHC, UMR 7178, a joint research unit co-supervised by the CNRS and the University of Strasbourg (UMR7178), is a multidisciplinary laboratory where research teams from different scientific backgrounds (ecology, physiology and ethology, chemistry and subatomic physics) develop top-level programs based on scientific instrumentation. The IPHC is organized into 3 departments and has a total staff of 393 (M/F), including 257 permanent employees (119 researchers and teacher-researchers and 138 engineers and technicians M/F), 46 employees on fixed-term contracts and 102 PhD students M/F.
The PhD student's work will take place in the IPHC DeSIS group on the CNRS Cronenbourg campus. The candidate will be supervised by Dr. Marie Vanstalle (marie.vanstalle@iphc.cnrs.fr).
The candidate will have access to a staff restaurant, partial reimbursement of transportation costs, a works council, the possibility of teleworking one to two days per week for some activities, subject to the agreement of the CMS team manager, and training to adapt to the job.
The candidate should hold a master's degree in subatomic or medical physics, and must have experi-ence in C++ or Python programming. Knowledge in nuclear physics detectors and in data analysis, as well as experience in Monte Carlo simulations would be a plus. A good level in English (at level B2 according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is re-quired.
The international, multidisciplinary and collaborative context of this project requires that the candidate has a strong motivation, curiosity to expand his area of expertise, autonomy and ability to work in a team with strong constraints to meet deadlines.
Applications must include a CV, a cover letter, and transcripts from Master's 1 and 2.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

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