Deadline for Applications: Before June 2013
Funding Type: Directly Funded PhD Project (eligibility criteria details)
Type of Study: PhD

Summary

The biological response of cancers and healthy tissues to radiotherapy is complex and determined by physical actions on multiple scale levels. Physical dosimetry for radiotherapy has in the past predominantly focused on macroscopic dosimetry. While this is sufficient to quantify the biological response of cells and tissues to high-energy x-rays, this is not the case for more modern therapies using protons and carbon ions.

The Radiation Dosimetry and Quantum Detection groups have recently developed a method to quantify energy depositions by ionizing radiation at the micrometer scale which is characteristic for the indirect radiation damage to the DNA via the action of radiation induced radical species. It has been proven, however, that a significant fraction of the biological effects is determined by direct ionizations of the DNA, and thus by the distribution of ionization at the nano-scale. The aim of this project is to develop tissue-equivalent microcalorimeters that can measure the distributions of ionization at the nanoscale by re-designing the existing ISTED (Inductive Superconductive Transition Edge Detector) devices. To achieve this, the student will first investigate the limits of current Monte Carlo codes to calculate the distributions of ionization and energy deposition at the nanoscale and then use the ensuing models to aid the design of the detectors.

Applications are invited from UK nationals and EU students fulfilling EPSRC's eligibility criteria and applicants should have a first/upper second class degree in Physics, Engineering, Computing or equivalent relevant experience. Applicants should also demonstrate strong practical skills, good mathematical skills and programming experience.

The successful candidate will spend at least half of their time at NPL, with the other half being spent at the University of Surrey.

Funding Notes

The studentship is fully-funded for UK nationals and EU students fulfilling EPSRC's eligibility criteria including fees and a tax free stipend for 3.5 years. The project should start during the summer of 2013.

For further details, please contact Dr Hugo Palmans (Dosimetry Group, NPL) and Professor Ling Hao (Quantum Detection Group, NPL) via email hugo.palmans@npl.co.uk and ling.hao@npl.co.uk, including CV.