Doctoral student in Physics with focus on Laser-Plasma Accelerators for Cancer Therapy (MSCA project EPACE)

This research will take place at the Department of Physics at Lund University, Sweden, internationally renowned for excellence and innovation in education and research. The Atomic Physics Division specializes in optics and laser technology, covering attosecond physics, high-intensity laser physics, and plasma acceleration, and hosts the Lund Laser Centre (LLC), a leading interdisciplinary laser research hub. The proximity to Skåne University Hospital further enhances opportunities for collaboration in medical physics and advanced radiation therapy. The doctoral position also includes a planned research visit at the University of Oxford, Department of Oncology.

EPACE (European compact accelerators, their applications, and entrepreneurship) a new Horizon Europe Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN), offering 15 fully funded doctoral positions across leading European universities, research institutes, and clinical centers. EPACE brings together experts in plasma physics, laser science, accelerator technology, and medical applications to advance compact particle accelerators and explore their potential in fields such as radiation therapy, materials science, and fundamental physics.

The network emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and cross-sectoral training, involving academic, industrial, and clinical partners. Each doctoral candidate will benefit from a comprehensive training programme combining local supervision with network-wide events, including hands-on workshops, schools, and secondments. EPACE is designed to equip its Fellows with the scientific knowledge and transferable skills needed for successful careers in both academia and industry.

https://www.epace.eu

Work duties

Radiotherapy is an cornerstone of modern cancer treatment, primarily using X-ray photon irradiation produced by electron beams in the 5-15 MeV energy range. While electron beams are also employed clinically, they encounter limitations in penetration depth and dose accuracy, reducing their effectiveness against deep-seated tumors. Recent advancements highlight Very High-Energy Electrons (VHEE, >100 MeV) as a promising alternative, demonstrating excellent tumor-targeting precision and enhanced therapeutic efficiency compared to conventional methods.

The objective of this project is to develop compact laser-plasma accelerator technologies optimized for precise VHEE radiation therapy. The doctoral researcher will engage in multiple facets of this initiative, including developing adaptive electron beam control systems, characterizing beam manipulation techniques, investigating advanced 3D dose measurement approaches, formulating novel treatment planning methodologies in collaboration with medical experts, and exploring radiobiological effects with a special focus on FLASH radiation therapy.

The doctoral student will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, including a dual-output short-pulse laser system at the Lund Laser Centre based on Optical Parametric Chirped Pulse Amplification (OPCPA). This system delivers simultaneous outputs at 100 Hz (6 TW) and 10 Hz (30 TW), with pulse durations below 10 femtoseconds. Additionally, a clinical linear accelerator (Elekta, Sweden), specially modified for FLASH irradiation with a 10 MeV electron beam, is available to support dosimetry studies and translational research.

A secondment of four months is planned at the Department of Oncology, University of Oxford, focusing on FLASH radiation techniques and preclinical studies.

In addition to the core research tasks described above, the doctoral candidate will participate in the EPACE training programme, which includes network-wide events, schools, and workshops.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

General admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if he or she:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

Specific admission requirements

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third-cycle studies in Physics at LTH if they have:

• At least 30 second-cycle credits of relevance to the subject, of which at least 15 credits shall comprise a second-cycle degree project, or
• An MSc in engineering physics or an associated field, or
• A master’s degree in physics or an associated field.

Finally, the student must be judged to have the potential to complete the programme.

MSCA-specific eligibility criteria

At the time of recruitment, the applicant must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Sweden for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Other assessment criteria

Experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable:

• Ultrafast laser systems or laser-matter interactions
• Plasma physics or particle acceleration
• Medical physics, dosimetry, or radiotherapy technologies
• Numerical simulations (e.g. PIC, Monte Carlo)
• Radiation biology or FLASH therapy concepts

Strong emphasis will also be placed on:

• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Scientific curiosity and motivation
• Communication skills
• Relevance of prior experience to the research project

Basis of assessment

Selection to postgraduate studies is based on the expected ability to perform well in the studies. The evaluation of the ability to perform well is based primarily on the results of studies at the basic and advanced levels, in particular:

• Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of the study.
• An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• Written and oral communication skills
• Other experience relevant to postgraduate studies, such as professional experience.

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through his or her experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

Terms of employment

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

Instructions on how to apply

Applications may be written in English or Swedish and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

The English version of this announcement is an interpretation of national formalities expressed in the Swedish text. In case of uncertainties, the Swedish text applies.