PhD Position in Positron Particle Tracking for Fluid Dynamics

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.