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Location
Szczecin
Województwo zachodniopomorskie, Poland
Date Posted
1 Sep 2024

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Type
PhD Project
University of Szczecin and CASA*

The risks of cosmic radiation in human space missions Beyond Low Earth Orbit

Szczecin
Województwo zachodniopomorskie, Poland
1 Sep 2024

NOTE: this position listing has expired and may no longer be relevant!

Position Description


In recent times there has been an increasing interest in manned space missions Beyond Low Earth Orbit (BLEO), like for instance to Mars or the asteroids. Before this goal will be realized, it is necessary to establish
safe career dose limits for astronauts in order to eliminate all possible health hazards related to the exposure to the ionizing radiation of cosmic origin.
This requires a precise knowledge of the effects of cosmic radiation of the human body which is still lacking.
A new generation of experiments is needed in order to be able to assess in the laboratory the long-term risks of ionizing radiation in space. This task is particularly difficult because, in humans, the effects of the exposure are not immediate and the insurgence of stochastic effects like cancer may take place after decades.
The PhD project aims to better understand the hazards posed by cosmic radiation (in particular high energetic heavy nuclei) using an interdisciplinary approach involving physics, space science, biology and medicine.
The PhD will be carried on under the supervision of
Prof. Franco Ferrari of the University of Szczecin in collaboration with the University of Maynooth in Ireland and the Polish Centre for Advanced Studies in Astrobiology and Related Topics (CASA*), whose headquarters are based at the University of Szczecin. The University of Maynooth and the Member Institutions of CASA* will provide the expertise in space science and medicine that are necessary for the completion of the PhD work.
While the PhD project is highly interdisciplinary and can be listed as an astrobiology project, the PhD title will be in Physics. Sought are candidates with a strong background at the undergraduate level in Physics or related disciplines like Astrophysics, Astronomy. The ideal candidate should also be open to interdisciplinary work especially at the interface between physics, biology and medicine. After the completion of the PhD studies the successfull applicant will acquire experience in epidemiologic studies of the effects of radiation, tumorigenesis and radiation physics and chemistry.
The Phd student will have a basic salary of about 1000 EUR
(4000PLN). There is also the possibility to apply for additional funds that
are assigned every year by the University of Szczecin on the
basis of a selection in which the individual scientific achievements
are evaluated. The successful candidate will have also the
possibility of participating in schools and conferences and visit
other Institutions. There is the possibility of a cheap accomodation (about 120 EUR/month) at one of the Student’s Residences of the University of Szczecin.


How to Apply

The applications should be sent to: Prof. Franco Ferrari Faculty of Mathematics and Physics Wielkopolska 15 70-451 Szczecin Poland The cover letter should be formally addressed to: Dean, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Wielkopolska 15 70-451 Szczecin Poland Candidates are asked to send: 1) a short scientific CV containing additionally a statement about the candidate's research achievements and interests 2) a copy of the Master's diploma (if the language is different from Polish or English please send also an English translation of the abstract of the diploma) 3) 2 recommendation letters or 2 e-mail addresses of suggested referees. The deadline for applying is September 15, 2018 For any further information please contact Prof. Franco Ferrari at the following e-mail address: franco@feynman.fiz.univ.szczecin.pl

Position Category: Other. Position Type: PhD Project. Position Tags: astrobiology, cosmic rays, and radiation physics.