PhD Position in Positron Particle Tracking for Fluid Dynamics

Faculty/Services: Faculty of Science

Educational level: Master

Function type: PhD position

Closing date: 1 December 2024

Vacancy number: 13502

Are you interested in using subatomic particle physics methods to understand fluid dynamics? Are you motivated to perform interdisciplinary science? Do you want to be active in teaching? The Institute of Physics is looking for an ambitious PhD student to become part of a new collaborative effort between NIKHEF and the Soft Matter Group.

Are you interested in using subatomic particle physics methods to understand fluid dynamics? Are you motivated to perform interdisciplinary science? Do you want to be active in teaching? The Institute of Physics is looking for an ambitious PhD student to become part of a new collaborative effort between NIKHEF and the Soft Matter Group. In this project, we aim to better understand the spread of clouds of droplets (think of medical inhalers) by tracking them with very low dose radioactive tracer elements. The applied tracer methods are very safe and common in medical technology (PET scans) and chemical engineering (PEPT) but have not benefitted as much yet from the existence of the ultimate radioactive particle tracking system on Earth: CERN. In this project, we bring these expertise together to better understand the fluid dynamics of droplets clouds that you find in sprays coming from medical inhalers. Your work will bring high-energy physics experience to fluid dynamics, and bring new options for doing medical physics. At the same time, the methods used for radioactive particle tracking have found their way into our teaching methods, and one aspect of the position is an active involvement in undergraduate teaching efforts for the 100+ BSc students in the UvA/VU dual degree Physics & Astronomy course. The experience gained in this project will be an excellent starting point for a variety of careers, among which are post-graduate medical physics certification, data scientist positions or careers in secondary or tertiary education and academic research.

What are you going to do?

You are expected to take the lead in the code application and development of positron emission-based particle tracking for fluid dynamics research. The ATLAS Group at NIKHEF and Clara Nellist will be the main supporters of this effort. You may also use computational fluid dynamics methods. You will perform experiments on droplet dispersal equipment, both with and without radioactive labelling. Experiments will be done in both the Soft Matter Group as supervised by Joshua Dijksman, and at a UK-based partner, which you will visit a few times in the duration of the project. You will participate in departmental activities, ranging from social activities to periodic research seminars and (voluntary) memberships of councils.

Tasks and responsibilities:

conducting independent research that combines numerical particle physics methods and fluid dynamics, resulting in academic publications in peer-reviewed international journals and/or conference proceedings and/or patents and a thesis;
actively contributing to and developing the cooperation between NIKHEF, the Soft Matter Group and a UK based partner.
teaching courses in both Dutch and English, in the UvA/VU Physics & Astronomy bachelor programme; supervising Bachelor and Master theses

Your profile

You enjoy doing physics via numerical and experimental methods. You find it motivating to explore working across different research teams and disciplines. You can plan experiments methodically. You experience the joy in teaching to supervise students in the undergraduate practicum of the Physics & Astronomy degree program.

Your experience and profile

MSc in (Particle, Applied, Medical) Physics, Computer Science, Chemical Engineering or any other related field

Some track record of (scientific) code development, preferably open source
Willingness to perform experiments with positron emission tomography with partners in the UK.
Experience in laboratory experiments and experimental data analysis
Professional command of English and Dutch at B2 level
Readiness to participate in interdisciplinary cooperation and multidisciplinary development (verifiably focused on collaboration with other disciplines);

It is a preference if you have a demonstrated affinity with reconstruction algorithms and/or computational fluid dynamics. Teaching experience is preferred, whether at undergraduate or advanced high school level, or via tutoring.

Our offer

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date is flexible but preferably no later than Feb 1 2025. This project should be able to lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in (practicum) teaching undergraduates and master thesis students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 2,872 to € 3,670 (scale P). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. We do stress the importance of Dutch language skills for our undergraduate teaching effort. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
a complete educational program for PhD students;
multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
partly paid parental leave;
the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
the possibility to follow courses to improve your Dutch;
help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

About us

The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute of Physics (IoP) is one of eight institutes in the Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam (UvA). Here, about 250 colleagues carry out research in three divisions, each of roughly equal size in terms of (permanent) scientific staff: The Van der Waals-Zeeman Institute (WZI) performs research in the areas of Quantum Materials / Hard Condensed Matter, Soft Matter, and Quantum Gases & Quantum Information. It also has strong research links with the Advanced Research Center for Nanolithography (ARCNL), in which IoP is one of the constituent partners; The Institute for Theoretical Physics (ITFA) performs research in the (partly overlapping) themes Computational Soft Matter, Quantum Condensed Matter, String Theory, Theoretical Particle Physics, Astroparticle Physics, Cosmology, Mathematical Physics, and History and Philosophy of Physics; The Institute for High Energy Physics (IHEF) focuses on both theoretical and experimental particle and astroparticle physics, including by participating in the international collaborations ATLAS (at LHC/CERN), KM3NeT, XENON and Virgo. As part of the Nikhef collaboration, in which several other Dutch universities participate as well, the research program of IHEF is coordinated within Nikhef. IoP is embedded in a lively academic ecosystem, with many collaboration partners across its wide range of research topics located in the direct vicinity,

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?

Do you have any questions or do you require additional information? Please contact:

Clara Nellist, assistant professor, clara.nellist@uva.nl or Joshua Dijksman, associate professor, j.a.dijksman@uva.nl

Job application

If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We will review applicants on rolling basis and keep the position open until filled, but aim for concluding the recruitment on 01 December 2024.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your cv should be submitted in one single pdf file):

a detailed CV including the months (not just years) when referring to your education and work experience;
a letter of motivation;
the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.

Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

The interviews will be held as needed but will be concluded no later than December 20th