The “Condensed matter” group offers hosting possibilities to join the research line on “interaction of fast charged particles with condensed matter”, developed by Prof. Rafael Garcia-Molina (https://webs.um.es/rgm) and Assistant Prof. Pablo de Vera (https://webs.um.es/pablo.vera), in collaboration with national and international colleagues.

Our team has a broad experience in using analytical, numerical and simulation techniques to study the transport, interaction and effects of energetic ion and electron beams with condensed-phase materials. 

In the last years, we are particularly interested in the interaction of radiation with biological media, for the purposes of radiation therapy of cancer, by means of techniques such as hadrontherapy or targeted radionuclide therapy. 

Radiotherapy using ion beams or hadrontherapy features unprecedented dose-delivery precision and cancer cell-killing ability, minimising damage to healthy surrounding tissues. In targeted radionuclide therapy, antibodies or other cancer-cell targeting molecules are linked to alpha-, beta- or Auger-emitting radionuclides, whose emitted radiations of different penetration range are suitable for treating either extended tumours or small cell-scale metastases. 

Further optimisation of such therapies requires an accurate and detailed modelling and simulation of the damage induced in biomaterials by charged particles. This calls for research in condensed matter and atomic and molecular physics. 

The successful candidate will learn and further develop the semiempirical and theoretical models, as well as radiation transport Monte Carlo simulation techniques, mastered by the group. 

This will lead to a better understanding of the physical mechanisms behind hadrontherapy and targeted radionuclide therapy and, eventually, to a further optimisation of such advanced medical treatments.

The host group has previous experience with MSCA PF applications.

Research Area: Physics (PHY)

Interested applicants* must submit their CV and a motivation letter outlining their research interests directly to Prof. Rafael Garcia-Molina via email at rgm@um.es

*Please note that applicants must comply with the eligibilty criterias of the MSCA PF 2025 call (must have a PhD degree at the time of the deadline for applications; must have a maximum of 8 years experience in research and should comply with MSCA PF Mobility Rule, available in the “2.3.2. Recruited researchers” section of the Work Programme MSCA 2023-2025)