PhD Positions in Physics for MSCA-DN "MS-RADAM" - 2 Doctoral Candidates

Stellenbeschreibung:

Position Overview

MS‑RADAM (“MultiScale phenomena in RAdiation DAMage”) is a European Doctoral Network project funded by the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Actions (MSCA). Two full‑time, 36‑month Doctoral Candidate (DC) positions are open for the research projects DC4 and DC5, to be based at the MBN Research Center gGmbH, Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and enrolled in the PhD programme at Goethe University Frankfurt.

Research Projects

DC4 – Nanochemistry of irradiated biomacromolecular systems : Modelling radiation‑induced chemical processes in biologically relevant media using reactive and irradiation‑driven molecular dynamics, stochastic dynamics, and analytical models. The focus will be on the formation and transport of reactive species around ion tracks and radiosensitising nanoparticles, with validation through collaboration with experimental partners.

DC5 – Multiscale radiation damage phenomena in irradiated biomolecular/biological systems : Employing analytical and computational multiscale modelling (molecular dynamics, stochastic dynamics, track‑structure Monte Carlo simulations) to analyse key radiation damage processes involving biological media. The work includes:

studying secondary electron transport around ion tracks in water and DNA
studying radiation‑induced biological effects such as DNA repair protein dynamics, metal‑nanoparticle behaviour in cells, and interactions of long‑lived reactive species with biological targets, over experimentally relevant temporal and spatial scales

Both projects will link nanoscale damage events to larger‑scale biodamage phenomena such as cell survival probability, and will be validated through close collaboration with experimental partners within the MS‑RADAM network.

Roles and Responsibilities

The successful candidates will develop, implement and analyze multiscale computational models, collaborate closely with experimental partners, present results at conferences and publish in peer‑reviewed journals, and contribute to the scientific training and mobility components of the MS‑RADAM network.

Requirements and Qualifications

Education : Master’s Degree or equivalent in theoretical physics, computational physics, biophysics, physical chemistry, or a related field.

Experience and skills :

Proven experience using software tools for computer simulations (e.g. quantum chemistry, molecular dynamics, Monte Carlo simulations)
High motivation to conduct research using theoretical and computational physics methods
Excellent English language skills (spoken and written)
Availability to start on and ability to travel internationally on a regular basis
Ready to work in an international environment, meet strict deadlines, and demonstrate reliability

Specific requirements :

Must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: you must NOT have lived or worked in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to the recruitment date ).

Eligibility Criteria

The candidate must not have already earned a doctoral degree.
At the time of recruitment, the candidate must not have lived or conducted their main activities in the country of recruitment for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the recruitment date/start of the activities.
The candidate must meet all admission requirements for the PhD programme at Goethe University at the start of the contract.
Candidates of all nationalities and genders are welcome to apply.
In line with MSCA requirements, candidates must be willing to undertake four months of international mobility during the project implementation.

Benefits

Annual salary within the range of EU MSCA Doctoral Network programmes, monthly mobility supplement and monthly family allowance (if eligible) as per MSCA rules.

Selection Process

Initial screening by the future supervisor and host organisation team based on documents.
Shortlisted candidates invited to an online interview.
Final selection determined through the interview.