The GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung in Darmstadt operates one of the world's leading particle accelerator facilities for fundamental research. Together with international partners, GSI is currently building FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research), one of the largest research projects worldwide. GSI and FAIR offer the opportunity to work in an international environment within a dedicated team committed to scientific excellence.
Within the framework of the research project lasEr-driven Universal Radio-isOtope Production Accelerator (EUROPA), we are seeking at the earliest possible date:
PhD Position (all genders) – Optimization of laser-driven particle sources for the generation of medical radioisotopes
In part-time (65%)
Reference number: 26.155-1700
Project Context (EUROPA)
EUROPA (for lasEr-driven Universal Radio-isOtope Production Accelerator) is a European initiative aiming to transform how medical radioisotopes are produced for cancer research and treatment. Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) is one of the most promising approaches in nuclear medicine, relying on artificial radioactive isotopes (ARIs) to precisely identify and destroy cancer cells. However, access to these innovative isotopes is limited: They are expensive and difficult to supply because they rely on large, centralized facilities. However, Laser-Plasma Acceleration (LPA) could offer a highly versatile source of radiation (γ-rays) and particles (ions and neutrons) across a broad energy spectrum, making it a promising approach for generating the moderate activity levels required for innovative radiopharmaceutical applications.
To demonstrate this potential, EUROPA focuses on innovative pairs of theranostic artificial radioisotopes. The project aims at optimizing LPA mechanisms to enhance the yield of accelerated particles within the desired energy range. At the same time dedicated detectors are being developed to support proof-of-concept experiments for radioisotope production, which could be scaled to modern high-repetition rate medium-energy laser systems.
The advertised position plays a central role in the enhancement and optimization of the respective laser-driven particle sources required for the subsequent radioisotope generation process. It focuses on the development of a laser-driven alpha source in gaseous, optically shaped targets, with a second focus on laser-driven electron acceleration in the self-modulated laser-wakefield acceleration regime.
