A call for a PhD contract is open at Instituto de Física Corpuscular (IFIC, CSIC-University of Valencia) in the framework of the ERC funded consolidator project HYMNS: High-sensitivitY Measurements of key stellar Nucleo-Synthesis reactions. This project aims at the development and implementation of a novel detection technique for the measurement of stellar neutron capture rates relevant for the slow (s-) process of nucleosynthesis.

The post is based in the Gamma and Neutron Spectroscopy Group at IFIC. The successful candidate will develop his PhD work in advanced instrumentation for γ-ray detection optimized for its application to the measurement of neutron capture cross sections at CERN n_TOF (Geneva). This experimental work comprises:

i) the development of advanced radiation detectors with γ-ray imaging capability, so-called i-TED,

ii) first proof-of-concept measurements at CERN n_TOF and

iii) involvement in the measurement of neutron capture rates of astrophysical interest for s-process nucleosynthesis in massive stars.

Developments, data taking and analysis, physics and astrophysics interpretation will be undertaken as full PhD activities.

Send CV with two referee contacts and academic record to Dr. C. Domingo-Pardo

Subject: HYMNS PhD application [your family name]