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PhD Position(s) on extreme plasma physics for 2024
PhD Opportunities in Extreme Plasma Physics: Join the vibrant Group for Lasers and Plasmas (GoLP) at Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST), University of Lisbon,
Portugal, where we push the boundaries of research in lasers and plasma physics. Our mission is to foster an outstanding research environment, promoting growth, creativity and innovation
(check our mission statement, code of conduct, and the values of IST)
where everyone can develop their full potential.
Available Positions: We are offering up to two 4-year PhD position(s), in the context of the extreme plasma physics team,
to work with Prof. Luis O. Silva on projects that aim to unravel the mysteries of plasmas under extreme astrophysical and laboratory conditions.
Project Focus: Your PhD project will be tailored to your interests,
exploring phenomena associated with ultra-high-intensity lasers, particle beams,
and astrophysical objects. This is your chance to contribute to
groundbreaking frontier research, from fundamental questions to real-world applications.
Application Deadline: March 18th 2024. Early applications are encouraged, as decisions will be made by early April 2024.
Your Role: Doing original research under Prof. Luis O. Silva's guidance, with opportunities for experimental collaboration.
Part of your project may include international research stays within our collaboration network.
Research Areas:
- Matter behavior under extreme lab and astro conditions;
- Control of plasma topology and instabilities;
- Development of unique secondary sources for various applications.
Candidate Profile: Applicants should hold an M.Sc. in physics, engineering, astrophysics, or related fields.
While expertise in plasma physics and numerical methods is a plus, we welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds.
Funding: The selected candidates will receive a comprehensive funding package, covering tuition,
fees, and a competitive stipend. Opportunities for additional prestigious fellowships will also be available.
How to Apply: Submit your application including:
- CV;
- Academic transcripts;
- A research statement (3 pages max, plus references);
- 1 to 3 letters of reference (send directly by referees to luis.silva at tecnico.ulisboa.pt).
For detailed information on the application process and for our research, see more information and relevant links below
Project
The selected candidates will join the team of Prof. Luis O. Silva.
During a 4-year period, they will perform original research,
combining theory and simulations (the balance will depend on the specific PhD project to be pursued),
and, for some of the possible projects, the selected candidates can be involved
in experimental collaborations (providing theoretical and simulation support
to the design and/or interpretation of the experiments).
We also expect that some part of the project (between 6 months and one year)
to be developed at some other international team (part of our collaboration network).
Some of the science questions we are interested include:
- What is the behavior of matter at extreme electromagnetic intensities,
at the focus of lasers, or at the interaction point of colliders, or in the magnetospheres of compact astrophysical objects?
- Can we control the topology of plasmas and tame laser-plasma instabilities in laser fusion or for secondary sources?
- Can lasers and plasmas be used to produce unique seconday sources of unrivalled properties for applications?
Topics that the team is interested now are (but not limited to):
QED plasma kinetics and coherent radiation processes in ultra strong fields,
fireball beams (in astro and lab), HPC and associated technologies (e.g. AI) for particle-in-cell simulations,
control of laser-driven plasma instabilities and topology (for nuclear fusion,
secondary sources, and fundamental physics), laser fusion,
exotic beyond-electroweak light and plasma dynamics and instabilities.
Profile
PhD applicants must hold (or be in the last year of) an M.Sc. degree in physics,
engineering, astrophysics, or a closely related subject.
The degree must be awarded before the starting date (and preferably with some months in advance).
We expect the starting date to be September/October 2024,
but there is flexibility to accommodate earlier or later starting dates.
Expertise in plasma physics, astrophysics, numerical methods,
and/or scientific computing is an asset but not a requirement.
Funding for the full PhD (4 years) is guaranteed -
the selected candidate(s) will be encouraged to submit proposals
for highly prestigious PhD fellowships, as a possibility to acquire additional funding and to develop their project writing skills.
Offer
The selected PhD student(s) will be offered a 1-year fellowship contract,
renewable yearly after positive evaluation, until the conclusion of the PhD.
The monthly stipend follows the standard scale for PhD students in Portugal; we will cover for tuition and fees for the duration of the PhD
and we will also reimburse the voluntary social security.
The foreseen starting date is September 1st 2024, but there is significant flexibility.
The successful PhD applicant will enroll in the IST Doctoral School.
Good knowledge of the English language is an important requirement.
The successful PhD applicant will follow the Physics or Physics Engineering doctoral programme –
this is a flexible program that can include science communication,
teaching and other skills relevant for a professional in the field.
The candidate can also be involved in teaching (usually in support of
Prof. Luis O. Silva courses) for which an additional contract/funding will be granted, or science communication and general IT support activities at GoLP (also separately funded).
Application
The application will require:
- A curriculum vitae;
- A list of all BSc and MSc courses (with ECTS and individual scores);
- A statement of research interests (free format, maximum 3 pages plus references);
- Up to 3 (minimum 1) letters of reference to be directly sent by the reference person(s) to luis.silva at tecnico.ulisboa.pt;
- Submit your application here: Submission of applications .
For more information please contact Prof. Luis O. Silva,
by email: luis.silva at tecnico.ulisboa.pt and check the websites: https://web.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/luis.silva/ and https://epp.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/
for information on our ongoing projects and research interests.
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