Thesis topics in Physics (for February 2023)

We are currently seeking candidates wishing to begin doctoral studies in Physics in February 2023. The application deadline is 21st December. If you are interested, please follow the instructions outlined here.

  1. Relativistic cosmology and the problem of structure formation
    • Supervisor: Dr hab. Przemysław Małkiewicz, prof. NCBJ
    • Auxilliary Supervisor: Dr Jan Ostrowski
    • Description: This PhD project focuses on developing a fully relativistic approach to the evolution of cosmic structures from the post-inflationary primordial inhomogeneities to their final stages by combining perturbation methods and exact solutions to Einstein’s theory of gravity into a single pipe-line. The goal is to be able to probe in an efficient and self-consistent way all the relevant cosmological scales from the primordial and massive black holes through galaxies, galaxy clusters, voids, filaments up to the biggest known gravitationally bound objects – the galaxy super-clusters. The proposed approach is expected to be useful for addressing the most interesting conundrums of modern cosmology such as the formation and abundance of primordial black holes, the Hubble tension, the cosmological backreaction and others.
    • Funding: NCBJ Fellowship
  2. Vector boson physics with the CMS experiment at the Large Hadron Collider
    • Supervisor: Dr hab. Michał Szleper, prof. NCBJ
    • Description: Vector Boson Scattering (VBS) processes are of paramount importance for the proper understanding of the mechanism of electroweak symmetry breaking. They probe Higgs couplings as well as triple and quartic gauge couplings, and thus are indirect checks for physics beyond the Standard Model. We invite applications from strong candidates who would like to work with the CMS experiment at CERN as part of their Ph.D. program. The successful candidate is expected to participate in the analysis of VBS processes based on data collected during Run 3 of the LHC. The main focus of the analysis will be search for new physics in the same-sign WW and in the WZ scattering processes using the model independent framework of Effective Field Theories. Required is a M.Sc. degree in particle physics or a closely related field, good computing skills and ability to establish a friendly collaboration with the international scientific community at CERN. Good understanding of particle physics theory will be a bonus. The successful candidate is also expected to participate in activities related to the maintenance and operation of the Overlap Muon Track Finder (OMTF) system of the CMS detector, as part of their service work within the Warsaw CMS group.
    • Funding: NCN Fellowship
  3. Multigrid technology for homeland security and research applications
    • Supervisor: Dr hab. Łukasz Świderski, prof. NCBJ
    • Co-supervisor: Prof. dr Bruno Guerard
    • Auxilliary Supervisor: Dr Agnieszka Syntfeld-Każuch
    • Description: The research will be carried out in cooperation with the Neutrons Detectors Service (SDN) of Institute Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble, France. The aim of the research is to construct and test the prototype of a portal gaseous neutron detector based on BNPs (Boron-10 NanoParticles) dedicated for use in homeland security. BNP thin films are developed by Lubrina company, Lodz, Poland. Large area grid detectors based on B-10 nanoparticles, if successful, may be used as potential neutron detectors at ESS, Lund.
    • Funding: NCBJ Fellowship