The Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, a leading institute of the GeoPlanet Doctoral School, offers the opportunity to carry out graduate studies leading to a PhD degree in Astronomy and Astrophysics. The competition is both for PhD position and for doctoral scholarship funded by the Foundation for Polish Science. We search for candidates interested in subjects pursued at the Particle Astrophysics Science and Technology Centre (AstroCeNT) implemented at the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center as part of the International Research Agendas programme of the Foundation for Polish Science, supported by the European Regional Development Fund. The main focus of AstroCeNT is to conduct research in science and technology in the areas of particle astrophysics that deal with exploring the hidden Universe. More information about AstroCeNT is available at https://astrocent.camk.edu.pl/.
Studies last 4 years. The announced positions are expected to start early in 2020, with the beginning of the Spring semester (March 2020). During the 4 year period students are required to take specific courses, lecture and seminar series, including interdisciplinary lectures, as well as prepare the doctoral thesis. All seminars and lectures are in English.
An attachment to this announcement contains an information about prospective supervisors and description of the proposed PhD topics. Candidates should contact their potential supervisors to obtain more details on the proposals. Regulations of the doctoral school, including the program of Studies, are posted on the Copernicus Center web page https://www.camk.edu.pl/en/phd/.
Candidates should provide their complete application documents including:
- The application for admission to the doctoral school, according to the template available on the NCAC website with GDPR statement;
- A copy of their Master/University degree diploma. In case this is not yet available, it must be provided before the candidate is admitted to the school;
- A transcript of grades (Bachelor and Master Courses);
- A Curriculum Vitae including an education and employment record, list of publications, information on involvement in scientific activities – membership in scientific groups/societies, participation in scientific conferences, internships and trainings, awards and distinctions;
- A letter of motivation containing a short description of the cadidate’s interests and scientific achievements, and justification of the intention to undertake education at the Doctoral School;
- English language certificate(s), if available;
In addition, at least one recommendation letter should be sent directly to: phdstudies@camk.edu.pl. In the case that the Master’s thesis is ready, it can be attached to the application.
Applications should be addressed to the Center’s Director and can be sent in the pdf format by e-mail to phdstudies@camk.edu.pl, by November 10th, 2019.
The Recruitment Board will select candidates for the interview, which will take place on November, 18th-29th, 2019 (9 am – 3 pm). Decisions about admission will be made by December, 15th, 2019 and all the candidates will be notified by e-mail. For additional information contact the coordinator of the doctoral school, Dr. Radosław Smolec (smolec@camk.edu.pl) or the Center’s secretary office (Ms. Katarzyna Morawska, kasia@camk.edu.pl).
Warsaw, October 06, 2019 prof. dr hab. Piotr Życki
NCAC Director
Attachment: Proposed topics of PhD theses
Subject: Measurement of nuclear recoils in liquid argon for dark matter searches
Advisor: Prof. Leszek Roszkowski (CAMK PAN)
Co-advisor: Dr Masayuki Wada (CAMK PAN, mwada@princeton.edu)
Co-advisor: Prof. Cristiano Galbiati (Princeton and GSSI, Italy, galbiati@Princeton.edu)
Today, dark matter represents the first evidence for new physics beyond the Standard Model, which is extremely successful to explain all observed phenomena in experimental particle physics, including the recent discovery of the Higgs boson. Currently, DarkSide, a liquid argon-based direct dark matter search experiment, has world-leading sensitivity for light dark matter candidates. The detailed characterization of liquid argon response to nuclear recoils (possible signals from dark matter particles) at low energy is essential to extend the sensitivity to lighter dark matter particles.
This project involves research on different aspects of the liquid-argon Time Projection Chamber (TPC) including designing and building of TPC, handling cryogenic system, simulating detector response using GEANT4, data acquisition, and analysis to draw physics results. Within this project, the obtained results will be used to re-analyze available data from DarkSide-50 experiment, which could lead to the world best results for light dark matter search.
The position is available for up to four years and funded by a studentship of approx. 3500-4500 PLN per month, plus medical and social insurance benefits. The candidate is expected to have master degree in physics or astronomy at the starting date.
Note: This project is optionally available as a dual PhD program with Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), leading to two PhD degrees (one in Poland and one in Italy); the successful candidate must satisfy PhD requirements of both CAMK PAN and GSSI. Long-term visits to GSSI will optionally be funded.
Subject: Development of ultra-radiopure photodetector and light guides for Dark Matter direct search and neutrinoless double beta decay experiment
Advisor: Prof. Leszek Roszkowski (Astrocent, CAMK PAN)
Co-advisor: Dr Masayuki Wada (Astrocent, CAMK PAN, mwada@princeton.edu)
Co-advisor: Prof. Cristiano Galbiati (Princeton and GSSI, Italy, galbiati@Princeton.edu)
In rare event search experiments, such as dark matter searches and neutrinoless double beta decay searches, background event rates have to be suppressed below expected signal rates. In order to reach ultimate sensitivities for those searches, background contributions from detector components need to be suppressed. In this project, we focus on the photodetection part of detectors (silicon-based photodetector modules and light guides), which is a leading background contributor in both dark matter and neutrinoless double beta decay searches.
This project involves research on different aspects of the photodetector in cryogenic temperature including searching for radiopure components for the photo-detector and light guide, assaying materials, handling cryogenic system, and optimization of coupling between the photodetector and the light guide. This project also aims to design a photodetector module and to estimate sensitivities for future experiments.
The position is available for up to four years and funded by a studentship of approx. 3500-4500 PLN per month, plus medical and social insurance benefits. The candidate is expected to have master degree in physics or astronomy at the starting date.
Note: This project is optionally available as a dual PhD program with Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), leading to two PhD degrees (one in Poland and one in Italy); the successful candidate must satisfy PhD requirements of both CAMK PAN and GSSI. Long-term visits to GSSI will optionally be funded.
Subject: Optimization of pulse-shape discrimination for liquid argon based dark matter searches using silicon photomultipliers
Advisor: Prof. Leszek Roszkowski (CAMK PAN)
Co-advisor: Dr Marcin Kuźniak (CAMK PAN, mkuzniak@physics.carleton.ca)
Co-advisor: Dr Davide Franco (Astroparticle and Cosmology (APC) laboratory in Paris, France, dfranco@in2p3.fr)
Liquid argon based dark matter detectors currently taking data (DEAP-3600) or planned (DarkSide-20k, Argo) have a significant potential to discover Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) and will reach the ultimate sensitivity accessible to such searches. With silicon photomultipliers (SiPM), recently introduced novel light sensors to be used by the next round of experiments, pulse-shape discrimination (the key technique necessary to mitigate backgrounds in liquid argon), requires computational and experimental studies necessary to optimize it for better sensitivity to WIMPs.
This project includes testing of novel SiPM modules developed by the DarkSide collaboration, as well as the cutting-edge digital version of SiPMs, which is under development for future detectors at the Universite de Sherbrooke (Canada) and elsewhere.
Data from small and intermediate scale prototype detectors operated by the Global Argon Dark Matter Collaboration will be available for this analysis, with the goal of extracting important physics results with the optimized method.
The position is available for up to four years and funded by a studentship of approx. 3500-4500 PLN per month, plus medical and social insurance benefits. The candidate is expected to have master degree in physics or astronomy at the starting date.
Note: This project is optionally available as a dual PhD program with the Astroparticle and Cosmology (APC) laboratory in Paris, leading to two PhD degrees (one in Poland and one in France); the successful candidate must satisfy PhD requirements of both CAMK PAN and APC. Long-term visits to APC and Sherbrooke will optionally be funded.
Subject: Development of novel wavelength shifters for future dark matter detectors
Advisor: Prof. Leszek Roszkowski (CAMK PAN)
Co-advisor: Dr Marcin Kuźniak (CAMK PAN, mkuzniak@physics.carleton.ca)
Co-advisor: Prof. Cristiano Galbiati (Princeton and GSSI, Italy, galbiati@Princeton.edu)
Liquid argon based dark matter detectors currently taking data (DEAP-3600) or planned (DarkSide-20k, Argo) have a significant potential to discover Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs) and will reach the ultimate sensitivity accessible to such searches. In such detectors, wavelength shifter (WLS) materials are used to convert argon scintillation light (at 128 nm) to visible wavelengths, which can be efficiently detected by standard sensors.
This project involves comparative study of the most commonly used WLS and its novel alternatives, and selecting the best candidate tailored for specific application in the planned experiments, which would lead to extending their physics reach. Another aspect of this study is the compatibility of such new materials with silicon photomultipliers (SiPM) used by DarkSide-20k, quantifying their impact on the sensitivity of future experiments, and optimizing the light collection with Monte Carlo simulations.
The scope of this work includes R&D shared with collaborating institutions in Poland, Canada and Italy, and possible participation in development and installation of SiPM and WLS for the DarkSide-20k veto at Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso (Italy).
The position is available for up to four years and funded by a studentship of approx. 3500-4500 PLN per month, plus medical and social insurance benefits. The candidate is expected to have master degree in physics or astronomy at the starting date.
Note: This project is optionally available as a dual PhD program with Gran Sasso Science Institute (GSSI), leading to two PhD degrees (one in Poland and one in Italy); the successful candidate must satisfy PhD requirements of both CAMK PAN and GSSI. It will possibly involve extended visits to GSSI and Carleton University (Canada).
Subject: Measuring infrasound fields influence on GW detectors
Advisor: Prof. Tomasz Bulik (bulik@camk.edu.pl)
Co-advisor: Dr. Mariusz Suchenek (msuchenek@camk.edu.pl)
The VIRGO detector is a part of the gravitational wave detection network that includes LIGO and KAGRA. It has been involved in the breakthrough detections of gravitational waves from inspiralling compact object binaries. The project is part of the effort to improve the VIRGO sensitivity at low frequency.
The project aims at the construction of an infra-sound sensor working in the frequency range below 10 Hz. The sensor will be the basis for construction of a system to monitor the infra-sound field inside buildings in real time. The second part of the project is the construction of data acquisition system allowing to measure infra-sound from a network of 10-20 sensors and off-line analysis of infra-sound sources.
The position is available for up to four years and funded by a studentship of approx. 3500-4500 PLN per month, plus medical and social insurance benefits. The candidate is expected to have master degree in engineering, physics or astronomy at the starting date.
Subject: Design and testing of a new magnetic seismic sensor
Advisor: Prof. Tomasz Bulik (bulik@camk.edu.pl)
Co-advisor: Dr. Mariusz Suchenek (msuchenek@camk.edu.pl)
The VIRGO detector is a part of the gravitational wave detection network that includes LIGO and KAGRA. It has been involved in the breakthrough detections of gravitational waves from inspiralling compact object binaries. The project is part of the effort to improve the VIRGO sensitivity at low frequency.
Construction and optimization of the seismic sensor working on the basis of magnetic compensation of a suspended test mass. The goal is to construct a sensor that will measure the mechanical vibration through the voltage required to maintain the suspended mass at rest. The project involves designing hardware construction as well as software for the hardware and software.
The position is available for up to four years and funded by a studentship of approx. 3500-4500 PLN per month, plus medical and social insurance benefits. The candidate is expected to have master degree in engineering, physics or astronomy at the starting date.
Subject: Object recognition in the seismic signals
Advisor: Prof. Tomasz Bulik (bulik@camk.edu.pl)
Co-advisor: Dr. Mariusz Suchenek (msuchenek@camk.edu.pl)
The VIRGO detector is a part of the gravitational wave detection network that includes LIGO and KAGRA. It has been involved in the breakthrough detections of gravitational waves from inspiralling compact object binaries. The project is part of the effort to improve the VIRGO sensitivity at low frequency.
The goal of the project is to design hardware and software for the seismic signal analysis. The sensors should be configured in an array which will be able to record signal synchronous to other sensor nodes. The main part of the work is related to the development of algorithms to recognize objects in the seismic signal. For this purpose, pattern recognition algorithms should be used.
The position is available for up to four years and funded by a studentship of approx. 3500-4500 PLN per month, plus medical and social insurance benefits. The candidate is expected to have master degree in engineering, physics or astronomy at the starting date.
Subject: Development of a seismic sensor for the IoT system
Advisor: Prof. Tomasz Bulik (bulik@camk.edu.pl)
Co-advisor: Dr. Mariusz Suchenek (msuchenek@camk.edu.pl)
The VIRGO detector is a part of the gravitational wave detection network that includes LIGO and KAGRA. It has been involved in the breakthrough detections of gravitational waves from inspiralling compact object binaries. The project is part of the effort to improve the VIRGO sensitivity at low frequency and working on commercial applications of the resutls of these studies.
The project aims at the construction of a wireless seismic sensor node that will allow working in IoT system. The node should reduce the amount of data being transferred to only those essential to recognize objects.
The position is available for up to four years and funded by a studentship of approx. 3500-4500 PLN per month, plus medical and social insurance benefits. The candidate is expected to have master degree in engineering, physics or astronomy at the starting date.
Subject: Development of methods and algorithms for filtering signals from optical detectors
Advisor: Prof. Tomasz Bulik (bulik@camk.edu.pl)
Co-advisor: Dr. Mariusz Suchenek (msuchenek@camk.edu.pl)
The purpose of the work is to develop a filter that allows increasing the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal from the optical detector. Knowing the shape of the response signal from the optical detector and the analog front end of the optical system, it is possible to design a matched filter to the response of the optical detector that will improve the signal from the detector.
The position is available for up to four years and funded by a studentship of approx. 3500-4500 PLN per month, plus medical and social insurance benefits. The candidate is expected to have master degree in engineering, physics or astronomy at the starting date.
