Understanding the nature of the neutrino: search for neutrinoless double beta decay with the LZ detector
Neutrinoless double beta decay (NDBD) is one of the most interesting topics in modern particle physics. Its observation would be proof of new physics beyond the Standard Model (BSM), showing that neutrinos are their own antiparticles — and thus reveal their nature as the only known Majorana particles. It would also show violation of lepton number conservation, hinting that leptons play a part in the observed matter/antimatter asymmetry of the Universe. Explaining NDBD requires SM extensions which can also explain the extremely small mass of the neutrinos (6 orders of magnitude lighter than the electron). If this decay occurs through the exchange of a virtual Majorana neutrino its decay rate can be associated with a weighted average of the three neutrino masses (the so-called effective Majorana mass), which can be used to probe the (normal or inverted) neutrino mass hierarchy. Several experiments, including LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ), are searching for this decay, with the most restrictive lower limits for its half-life reaching 10^26 years (10 quadrillion times longer than the age of the Universe!). Operating since late 2021, the LZ detector was designed with the primary goal of searching for dark matter particles, but given its high sensitivity and low background it can also be used for other physics studies such as neutrinoless double beta decay of the Xe-136 isotope. In this project the students will work with LIP researchers to analyse the data collected by LZ in the last 3 years to search for this decay.

Grupo : DarkMatter
Local : Coimbra
Supervisor(s) : Alexandre Lindote / Paulo Brás
Email : alex@lip.pt
Vagas : 3
Duração/Datas : July to September

Probing Ultra-High-Energy Hadronic Interactions Using the Earths Magnetic Field
Ultra-high-energy cosmic rays are the most energetic particles known in the Universe. Because of their extremely low flux and enormous energies, they cannot be studied directly. Instead, we investigate them through the giant particle cascades—called extensive air showers—they create when interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere. These showers offer a unique opportunity to probe hadronic interactions at energies well beyond the reach of current particle accelerators. Moreover, analyses of cosmic ray data suggest that hadronic interactions are not yet fully understood, even at lower energy scales. In this internship, we propose to study inclined air showers and use their ground footprint to extract information about the energy spectrum of muons produced during the hadronic cascade. As these muons travel long distances, their distribution at ground level becomes distorted by the Earths magnetic field—effectively turning the planet into a natural spectrometer. The selected student will use Monte Carlo simulations to analyze this effect and help develop tools to extract key physical information from the muon footprint. This work will provide valuable insights into ultra-high-energy interactions and introduce the student to state-of-the-art analysis techniques in astroparticle physics. Prerequisites: This internship is open to students enrolled in a Physics degree (undergraduate or Masters level). The work will be conducted in person, so applicants must be available to work on-site during the internship period.

Grupo : Auger
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Ruben Conceição, Bernardo Tomé
Email : ruben@lip.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : June to September (exact dates to be coordinated between the supervisors and the students)

Characterisation of plastic scintillators read by SiPMs
Scintillation detectors have historically been one of the fundamental tools in instrumentation. The advent of SiPMs (Silicon Photomultipliers) has further enhanced their usefulness, making the reading of scintillation light easier and cheaper. One of the traditional uses of scintillators in instrumentation is as trigger detectors. In this internship, we propose the characterisation of different plastic scintillators, with various geometries, read out by modern SiPMs and advanced acquisition systems based on Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). The study will focus on evaluating the efficiency and time resolution of these devices. During the internship, students will have direct contact with the instrumentation, participating in the assembly of the experimental device, including the DAQ (Data Acquisition) system, the amplification electronics and the integration of the SiPMs themselves.

Grupo : RPC
Local : Coimbra
Supervisor(s) : Alberto Blanco
Email : alberto@lip.pt
Vagas : 3
Duração/Datas : July to 15- September

Characterisation of Sealed RPC Chambers
Resistive Plate Chambers (RPCs) are gaseous detectors with high performance, especially in time resolution. Historically, they have been used in high-energy physics experiments in laboratories. Traditionally, this technology requires complex gas injection and purification systems. Recently, the LIP (Laboratório de Instrumentação e Física Experimental de Partículas) has developed a new technology of sealed RPC chambers, pioneering this breakthrough worldwide. This innovation will completely eliminate the need for a gas system, opening up new possibilities, such as use in cosmic ray experiments at remote locations. In this internship, we propose the characterisation of these detectors using a small cosmic-ray telescope equipped with sealed RPC cameras. During the internship, students will have direct contact with the instrumentation, participating in the assembly of the experimental device, including the DAQ (Data Acquisition) system, the amplifier electronics and the integration of the RPCs.

Grupo : RPC
Local : Coimbra
Supervisor(s) : Alberto Blanco
Email : alberto@lip.pt
Vagas : 3
Duração/Datas : July to 15- September

Detectores gasosos R&D
No grupo de detectores R&D trabalhamos com detectores gasosos com o intuito de melhorar as suas características ou adaptar as existentes a necessidades especificas. Com a criação de experiências de grandes dimensões, frequentes em Colaborações Internacionais, novas solicitações têm surgido relativamente ao desempenho dos contadores gasosos. É com este tema genérico que vimos propor o nosso estágio de verão. O/a aluno(a) vai aprender os princípios de funcionamento de detetores gasosos, e contactar com técnicas associadas à montagem e funcionamento destes detetores, bem como ter contacto com aplicações possíveis para os mesmos. Será assim iniciado em técnicas de vazio, manuseamento de gases, recolha e tratamento de dados, montagem de detectores, ou seja, técnicas experimentais relacionadas com detectores gasosos, bem como apoio teórico sobre o tema em estudo e o objetivo do trabalho. O/a estagiário/a será também incitado e ajudado a fazer alguma pesquisa autónoma sobre os assuntos em estudo. Pretende-se familiarizar o/a estagiário/a com técnicas laboratoriais realçando também a formação e pesquisa teóricas.

Grupo : GasDet
Local : Coimbra
Supervisor(s) : Filipa Borges, Afonso Marques
Email : filipa.borges@coimbra.lip.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : Julho a Setembro (a combinar)

Next-Gen Detectors for Ultra-High Count Rate Neutron Science Applications
The internship will take place in the Neutron Detectors Group, at LIP in Coimbra, Portugal. The group main activity involves the development of neutron detectors, in the area of detectors for nuclear and particle physics. Neutron detection is fundamental in scientific and practical applications such as nuclear safety, material analysis, and nuclear medicine. Examples include neutron radiography for inspecting aircraft parts, detecting illicit nuclear materials, radiation monitoring, measuring soil moisture, and monitoring neutron flux in neutron capture and hadron therapies. The selected students will participate in the groups ongoing research project “Ultra-high count rate neutron detector concept with primary scintillation readout” and will be involved in both the simulation work (Monte Carlo simulations in Geant 4 and ANTS3) and in experimental tests. The main goal is to develop a new type of thermal neutron detector capable to simultaneously provide very high detection efficiency, extremely fast counting rate and very low sensitivity to the gamma ray background. Such detectors are urgently needed at the major European neutron facilities for neutron Time-of-Flight spectrometers. The key idea is to use a fast optical readout method based on recording scintillation light from the active gas detection medium by modern silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) sensors. One main objective is to create realistic simulation models for several SiPMs configurations, exploring different approaches to enhance scintillation light collection, such as incorporating reflective and focusing elements. Simulations aim to find the optimal SiPMs configuration, minimising the number of sensors per unit length while maintaining performance, and reducing both costs and power consumption. Different types of SiPMs from ON Semi, FBK, and Hamamatsu will be evaluated based on photon detection efficiency (PDE), dark count rate and cost per unit area to identify the most suitable candidates. Students are expected to report on their work at the end of the internship, present their achievements at the LIP Summer Student Internship Workshop and write an internal report to be published on the LIP website.

Grupo : nDet
Local : Coimbra
Supervisor(s) : Luís Margato and Andrey Morozov
Email : margato@lip.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : June - Jully 2025, flexible dates

Analysis of Solar Energetic Particle in Solar Events
The activity of the Sun can have a significant impact on Earth, especially during extreme solar events such as Coronal Mass Ejections (CMEs) or Solar Flares. Solar Flares are sudden bursts of radiation occurring in the Sun’s atmosphere, while CMEs correspond to the release of large amounts of plasma and magnetic fields into interplanetary space. When these events interact with Earths magnetic field, they can cause geomagnetic storms, disrupting satellites, power grids, and communication systems, as well as increasing radiation exposure for astronauts and passengers on polar flights. This summer project focuses on the analysis of solar events by examining particle flux data to explore various aspects of their occurrence and time evolution. By analysing data from several space missions, the aims is to better understand the conditions and processes that trigger these solar phenomena. This includes studying how solar events develop over time. Missions such as WIND, the Solar TErrestrial RElations Observatory (STEREO), and Solar Orbiter continuously provide essential data on solar activity, which will be used in this project to analyse solar events.

Grupo : SpaceRad
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Antónnio Gomes
Email : antonio.pessanha.gomes@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : July (indicative)

ARC-TF: a GUI for thin film charaterization
Thin films are fundamental instruments in many nuclear physics experiments. In our Target Design Laboratory, we develop thin films that are used in experimental campaigns worldwide. The characterization of the said films, prior to their use in an experiment, is of vital importance for the scientific outcome. In this internship, you’ll be introduced to the basis of thin film production, and material characterization. You’ll also be challenged to add features to a Python-based Graphical User Interface (GUI) that automates the films characterization process. Note that, if you are not used to program in Python, this is an excellent opportunity to learn it! In addition to the scientific knowledge, you’ll have the opportunity to explore digital tools, such as Git and GitHub, and software development methodologies. If you are interested in learning about experimental nuclear physics, come join our group during the summer, and contribute to improve a tool that helps our workflow whilst developing thin films!

Grupo : NUC-RIA
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Tomás Campante, Ricardo Pires, Afonso Vicente
Email : tmctavares@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : July - September, to be discussed between student and supervisors

Biophysical Models of Cellular Responses to Neutron Radiation
Living organisms are intricate systems that often exhibit nonlinear and unpredictable responses to external stimuli. Despite this complexity, computational modeling provides a powerful approach to gaining insight into biological behavior at the microscopic scale. This internship project focuses on the biophysical modeling of cellular damage induced by neutron radiation, a topic of increasing relevance in the development of advanced radiotherapeutic techniques. Specifically, the study will investigate the biological effects of therapeutic neutrons employed in Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) and Gadolinium Neutron Capture Therapy (GdNCT). The project will utilize TOPAS, a Monte Carlo simulation framework built on Geant4 to accurately simulate these complex interactions. This platform enables detailed modeling of the transport and interactions of both primary neutrons and secondary particles generated during irradiation. By modeling these processes, the project aims to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms driving neutron-induced cellular damage and contribute to optimizing neutron-based cancer therapies.

Grupo : NUC-RIA
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Francisca Afonso
Email : ffpafonso@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : July to September

Building a Station for Monitoring Ambient Radiation
In this summer internship project, we invite students to participate in the development of a sensor system designed to monitor key environmental variables throughout the day. The monitored variables will include light intensity in the visible, ultraviolet (UV), and infrared (IR) regions. Students will build radiation detectors using photodiodes or specialized sensors, interfacing them with the Arduino platform. The data acquisition system will be based on Arduino and a Raspberry Pi processor. Additionally, students will develop a user-friendly interface for system control and data visualization using the Processing language/platform. Applicants should have (or be eager to develop) skills in assembling basic electronic circuits. Basic programming skills in C or Python are also required. This is an opportunity for 2nd or 3rd-year students in Physics or Engineering to gain hands-on experience in electronics, programming, and environmental monitoring technologies.

Grupo : RHE
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Luis Peralta, Tomás Campante
Email : luis@lip.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : June and July

Characterization of Radiation Fields Using Optically Stimulated Luminescence with Flux-Grown Al2O3-based Detectors
Passive dosimeters are essential tools in radiation protection and dosimetry, enabling accurate monitoring of radiation exposure over time, memorizing this information in their inner structure for post-processing and not requiring any data acquisition system during exposure. Among the many passive dosimetry techniques available, Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) stands out. It is based on the principle that certain materials, when exposed to ionizing radiation, trap electrons at defect sites within the crystal lattice. These trapped charges can later be released and recombined by optical stimulation, emitting luminescence proportional to the absorbed dose. One of the most studied materials for OSL dosimetry is carbon-doped aluminum oxide (Al2O3:C), known for its high luminescence efficiency, stability, and suitability for both personal and environmental dosimetry. However, recent research has focused on developing and characterizing new materials or modifying existing ones to enhance performance in specific applications such as medical dosimetry or complex radiation fields. This internship aims to explore the application of novel and commercial OSL materials for the characterization of the radiation field of an X-ray source located at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon (FCUL). The project will focus on the evaluation of laminated flux-grown Al2O3 crystals, synthesized in-house. The student will engage in the following tasks: • Irradiation Studies: The detectors will be exposed to ionizing radiation from the X-ray source. To assess the spatial distribution of the dose, irradiation will be conducted at several depths within a phantom setup, enabling the reconstruction of the radiation field. • OSL Readout and Analysis: Post-irradiation, the samples will be read using a RISO DA-20 TL/OSL Reader at C2TN, where the luminescent signal will be quantified and correlated with the absorbed dose. • Simulation and Validation: Monte Carlo simulations (TOPAS-MC) will be performed, allowing for theoretical modeling of the dose distribution and validation of the experimental results. This proposal arises from a collaboration between LIP and C2TN, leveraging the expertise available in both research units. By the end of the internship, the student is expected to: • Understand the principles and applications of OSL dosimetry. • Gain hands-on experience in laboratory work. • Develop skills in using Monte Carlo tools (TOPAS-MC) for radiation transport and dose calculation.

Grupo : RADART
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Cristiana Rodrigues, Joao Gentil
Email : cristiana@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : June-July

Cosmic Materials: Data & Simulation in Action
Space radiation poses significant challenges in protecting spacecraft and astronauts. In this project, the goal is to analyze radiation dose distributions and other key variables using data collected from several tools (dMEREM, SPENVIS, OLTARIS). This hands-on analysis is meant to introduce the fundamentals of dosimetry and help understand how radiation impacts different environments. In parallel, the project involves using Geant4, a powerful, open-source simulation toolkit that models particle interactions with matter, to simulate how various materials interact with a particle flux representative of Galactic Cosmic Rays (GCRs) or Solar Energetic Particles (SEPs).

Grupo : SpaceRad
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Bruna Lima
Email : bruna.lima@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : July (indicative)

Development of X-ray technique for target characterisation
Targets are a fundamental component of any nuclear physics experiment. As such, their characterization is crucial to ensure the experiment’s success. The Target Group offers an internship of the preparation of targets and their following characterisation. In this internship, Sn targets will be produced by thermal evaporation at the evaporator laboratory situated at FCUL, and characterised by a new X-ray attenuation method, being currently developed at the laboratory! Other well-established techniques will also be used, namely: alpha particle E-loss transmission and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. Simulation for the X-ray attenuation technique will be carried out using TOPAS, and compared to the analysed experimental results. The candidates will have the opportunity to not only gain experience in target production, but also in the various applications Nuclear Physics offers. If you are interested in learning about experimental nuclear physics, come join our group for this summer, and help to further develop a novel technique for target characterisation! Background knowledge in TOPAS and programming skills will be beneficial, but not mandatory. Although the choice of programming language is open for discussion, and the student will have some freedom to select it, Python or C are preferred.

Grupo : NUC-RIA
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Pamela Teubig, Afonso Vicente, Margarida Paulino
Email : ajvicente@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : July to September

Measuring thin film thickness using surface plasmon resonance
Thin films, layers of material just a few atoms thick, are essential components in many exciting areas of modern physics research. The ability to create and precisely measure these films is crucial for applications ranging from advanced detectors in particle physics to microscale targets in nuclear experiments. At the Laboratory of Instrumentation and Particle Physics (LIP), you will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in this fascinating field. This internship project will involve the production of thin films and you will learn and apply thin film deposition techniques such as sputtering and evaporation, gaining practical skills in material science and vacuum technology. You will learn about methodologies for determining the thickness of these films such as: - Alpha Particle Energy Loss: You will understand how the energy lost by alpha particles as they travel through the thin film is directly related to its thickness due to ionization being the dominant interaction at these scales. This involves principles of particle-matter interaction and detection. - Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR): You will delve into the intriguing phenomenon of surface plasmons – collective oscillations of electrons on a metal surface. By understanding how polarized light interacts with thin metal films, you will learn how SPR can be used as a highly sensitive optical technique to measure film thicknesses in the nanometer range. This involves concepts from optics and surface physics. During the internship you will be dealing with the implementation of a system to use SPR to determine the thickness of thin films. Comparison with other methods is forseen. During this internship, you will have the chance to: - Work alongside experienced researchers at LIP. - Develop practical laboratory skills in thin film production and characterization. - Learn about the fundamental physics behind these techniques. - Analyze experimental data and contribute to ongoing research. This project offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research and gain valuable experience in a dynamic and important field of physics. We encourage motivated Bachelor students with an interest in experimental physics and materials science to apply.

Grupo : LIP - Geral
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Jose Figueiredo, Joao Gentil
Email : gentil@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : June-July

Science Planning and Operations of the ESA JUICE Mission Radiation Monitor
The ESA JUpiter ICy Moons Explorer (JUICE) mission, launched in April 2023, is set to explore Jupiter and its largest moons, particularly Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa. JUICE carries the RADiation-hard Electron Monitor (RADEM), designed to measure high-energy radiation in the harsh Jovian environment, and during the cruise to Jupiter. Characterizing all components of the space radiation environment: cosmic rays, solar energetic particles and planetary trapped particles; is essential for studying its effects on spacecraft, instruments, and the habitability of icy moons. This internship proposal focuses on supporting the science planning and operational activities of RADEM, including data analysis, calibration, and mission scheduling. Successful candidates will familiarize themselves with the RADEM instrument, build interactive visualization tools for data analysis and command sequencing, and predict radiation exposure throughout the mission using existing models and early RADEM data.

Grupo : SpaceRad
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Marco Pinto
Email : mpinto@lip.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : July (indicative)

Target production and characterisation
Targets are a fundamental component of any nuclear physics experiment. As such, target properties like thickness, mechanical stability and composition are important aspects to an experiment itself. The Target Group offers an internship focused in all of these aspects. In this internship, AgCl targets will be produced by thermal evaporation at the evaporator laboratory situated at FCUL. Characterisation will be carried out by well-established techniques, namely: the alpha particle E-loss transmission and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. Simulations for the different technique will be carried out and compared to the analysed experimental results. The candidates will have the opportunity to not only gain experience in target production, but also in the various applications Nuclear Physics offers. If you are interested in learning about experimental nuclear physics, come join our group for this summer, and help to further develop our target production and characterisation methods! Background knowledge in programming skills will be beneficial, but not mandatory. Although the choice of programming language is open for discussion, and the student will have some freedom to select it, Python or C are preferred.

Grupo : NUC-RIA
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Pamela Teubig, Afonso Vicente, Ricardo Pires
Email : ajvicente@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : July to September

ETROC readout for the HL-LHC upgrade of the PPS detector
The PPS subdetector of CMS will be upgraded during the upcoming Long Shutdown to prepare for the HL-LHC. It consists of tracking detectors and timing detectors operating a few millimetres away from the LHC beam at a distance of about 200m from the CMS interaction point. As a result the sensors are subject not only to very large radiation doses but a dose which varies significantly in the small distances over the sensor surface. For the HL-LHC upgrade of PPS (termed PPS2) a new type of timing detector is planned to be employed, using sensors based on Low Gain Avalanche Diodes and a readout Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) called ETROC which is being designed for the Endcap Timing Layer upgrade of CMS. The ETROC chip is bump bonded to an LGAD sensor and previous testbeams have shown that the assembly can deliver good time resolution with the ETROC also having undergone specific irradiation campaigns proving its radiation hardness in different conditions. In the scope of this internship, the selected student will integrate the groups efforts on PPS2 and developing the detector hardware and readout system. There are several tasks in this scope and in discussion with the student we can adjust the work plan. Activities will be coordinated with the internship project titled “LGAD Sensors for the HL-LHC upgrade of the PPS detector”. Possible tasks include: - design and development of the “hybrid boards”, these are the carrier boards where the ETROC+LGAD assemblies are to be mounted and later assembled in the PPS2 detector - development of specific readout data acquisition systems, to be used in cosmic telescope setups and in test beams - data analysis of testbeam data to assess time resolution capabilities of ETROC+LGAD assemblies

Grupo : CMS
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Cristóvão B. da Cruz e Silva, Jonathan Hollar
Email : cbeiraod@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : Availability from June to September, with a break in August. Precise dates to be discussed with the student

High-precision fully differential predictions for top-pair production at the LHC in perturbative QCD
The asymptotic freedom is a feature of QCD, the theory of the strong interaction, which makes the coupling constant of theory small at high energies. As such, a perturbative approach to the quantum field theory of QCD is applicable and has been successful in the computation of cross sections for many final states produced in proton-proton collisions at the LHC. In this project the student will obtain, using state-of-the art Monte Carlo generators, fully differential theoretical predictions for top-pair production at the LHC in QCD. The goal is to test the theoretical accuracy of these calculations and assess quantitatively their agreement with recent experimental measurements of this process at the LHC.

Grupo : Pheno
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : João Pires
Email : jnpires@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : At least 4 weeks from beginning of July until first week of September

Investigating the Flavor Anomalies with Machine Learning at LHC
While the Standard Model (SM) is very successful to describe the properties of the elementary particles and their interactions, a set of experimental measurements of B-hadron decays is found to be in tension with the SM predictions. These are the so-called Flavor Anomalies. One of the most interesting types of measurement, among the ones composing the Flavor Anomalies, is the Lepton Flavor Universality (LFU) test, i.e. the comparison of the probability of a B-hadron decaying in channels involving different lepton flavors (electron, muon, tau). These measurements are very powerful tools to investigate the existence of new physics beyond the SM. In this project the student will analyze data collected by the Compact Muon Solenoid experiment, at the Large Hadron Collider, to reconstruct the decay of the B0 meson into a K*0 and two leptons, which is one of the most promising decay channels for the study of LFU in B decays. The analysis will be carried out on a dedicated dataset, which has been collected during the recent Run-3 data taking. Machine Learning techniques will be developed to reconstruct the candidates and optimize the rejection of background events. Finally, the student will use a fitting procedure to estimate the number of signal events in the dataset, which is the main ingredient of the lepton universality tests.

Grupo : CMS
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Alessio Boletti, Nuno Leonardo
Email : alessio.boletti@cern.ch
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : Flexible: can be adapted to exams and holidays

LGAD Sensors for the HL-LHC upgrade of the PPS detector
The PPS subdetector of CMS will be upgraded during the upcoming Long Shutdown to prepare for the HL-LHC. It consists of tracking detectors and timing detectors operating a few millimetres away from the LHC beam at a distance of about 200m from the CMS interaction point. As a result the sensors are subject not only to very large radiation doses but a dose which varies significantly in the small distances over the sensor surface. For the HL-LHC upgrade of PPS (termed PPS2) a new type of timing detector is planned to be employed, using sensors based on Low Gain Avalanche Diodes. These sensors have shown exceptional time resolution capabilities, better than 50 ps, and good radiation tolerance. In the scope of this internship, the selected student will integrate the groups efforts on evaluating these sensors for PPS2. There are several tasks in this scope and in discussion with the student we can adjust the work plan. Activities will be coordinated with the internship project titled “ETROC readout for the HL-LHC upgrade of the PPS detector”. Possible tasks include: - performing IV/CV measurements of LGAD sensors - data analysis of IV/CV data to extract fundamental properties of LGADs - data analysis of testbeam data to assess time resolution capabilities of LGAD sensors (and of non-uniform irradiated LGADs, simulating PPS2 conditions) - development of temperature monitoring hardware/software for LGAD test boards, to be used in upcoming test beams - development of database and analysis interface to repository of LGAD measurements (an upcoming sensor production will yield hundreds of sensors and the data needs to stored and easily retrievable for consultation and analysis)

Grupo : CMS
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Cristóvão B. da Cruz e Silva, Jonathan Hollar
Email : cbeiraod@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : Availability from June to September, with a break in August. Precise dates to be discussed with the student

NTC Coverage Strategy for Temperature Monitoring in the ATLAS-HGTD
The ATLAS High Granularity Timing Detector (HGTD) will be a precision silicon-based sub-detector designed to enhance particle identification and vertex separation in high-luminosity proton-proton collisions at the LHC (HL-LHC). Ensuring thermal stability and monitoring across the detector’s front-end electronics is critical for reliable performance. we investigate the optimal distribution of Negative Temperature Coefficient (NTC) sensors, which are embedded in selected detector modules and transmit temperature measurements via the Peripheral Electronics Boards (PEBs) to the interlock system. The student will develop a coordinate-based mapping of the modules connected to each PEB and design a strategy to distribute the available NTC sensors in a way that maximizes thermal coverage and monitoring efficiency. By implementing uniform spacing and edge-sensitive positioning, the project aims to define optimal sensor layouts for the different board configurations. The work also includes generating visual diagrams. This project offers an opportunity to engage with real detector hardware design and data quality assurance efforts within the ATLAS experiment.

Grupo : ATLAS
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Helena Santos
Email : helena@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : At least 3 weeks between 2025-06-16 2025-08-31

Probbing the Quark-Gluon Plasma with heavy quarks
At the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), high-energy collisions of lead (Pb) ions allow us to recreate and study the quark-gluon plasma (QGP) — a state of matter believed to have filled the early universe shortly after the Big Bang. Understanding the properties of this extreme medium is a central goal in heavy-ion physics, yet many of its features remain unknown. One of the most effective ways to probe the QGP is through the study of heavy-flavor particles, such as B mesons, which are sensitive to the mediums dynamics. The most recent Pb–Pb collision data collected by the CMS experiment provide an unprecedented opportunity to reconstruct B meson decays with high precision. However, the complex and dense environment of heavy-ion collisions presents significant challenges, especially due to the large background of uncorrelated particles. This project aims to explore advanced analysis strategies — including likelihood fitting methods and machine learning techniques — to reliably extract B meson signals from the data. By measuring the B meson nuclear modification factor (RAA) in the low transverse momentum region, where medium effects are expected to be strongest, the project will contribute to a deeper understanding of the QGPs influence on heavy-flavor production. Further, measurements as function of event centrality/multiplicity or rapidity will allow to reveal other production decencies or connect different collision systems. Therefore, in this project, the selected students will contribute to on-going physics analysis, gain hands-on experience with real LHC data and modern data analysis tools, and obtain deeper knowledge in particle physics.

Grupo : CMS
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Henrique Legoinha, Nuno Leonardo
Email : h.legoinha@cern.ch
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : Julho - Setembro

Search for Dark Higgs with SND@LHC
The discovery of the Higgs boson a decade ago marked the completion of the standard model (SM). The search for new particles has not ended however: SM particles alone cannot explain several established phenomena (eg dark matter, neutrino masses, matter-antimatter imbalance). A compelling reason for why such new particles haven’t been yet established is the possibility that they interact very feebly with SM particles, thus evading detection. The search for such particles with feeble interaction strength (FIPs) and large lifetimes is a major current endeavor in particle physics. The SND@LHC detector is located 500m away from the LHC collision point in ATLAS, thus offering increased sensitivity for detecting FIP particles with long lifetimes. The project involves the analysis of data collected with SND@LHC, the most recent LHC experiment.

Grupo : SHiP/SND@LHC
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Cristovao Vilela, Nuno Leonardo
Email : nuno@cern.ch
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : Jun-Sept

Tracking muons from ongoing LHC collisions
Muons are highly penetrating particles that traverse large amounts of matter. A muon telescope, based on an innovative technology (sRPC), designed and built at LIP, has been installed in 2024 in the LHC tunnel, and has already successfully accumulated one year worth of data. The new detector allows us to measure the flux of muons produced in the LHC collisions, that occur 500m away at ATLAS. These unique measurements will not only allow to improve the physics simulations of the LHC collision products but is also key for detecting neutrinos at the LHC – a milestone that has been only recently achieved for the first time, with the most recent LHC experiment, SND@LHC. (Refs: https://www.lip.pt/?section=press&page=news-details&id=1687; https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.131.031802). The project involves the analysis of the collected data towards the measurement of the LHC muonic flux.

Grupo : SHiP/SND@LHC
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Cristovao Vilela, Alberto Blanco, Nuno Leonardo
Email : c.vilela@cern.ch
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : Jun-Sept

Search for rare phenomena with ATLAS Open Data
The ATLAS Open dataset will be used to develop a dedicated analysis for a chosen rare process at the LHC. Advanced analysis techniques will be used and the statistical analysis of the obtained results will be performed.

Grupo : ATLAS
Local : Minho
Supervisor(s) : Nuno Castro
Email : nfcastro@lip.pt
Vagas : 3
Duração/Datas : June-July 2025, to be agreed

Atomic Database Development
The World is in constant mutation, and, unfortunately, science is affected by current politics. The NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) Atomic Spectra Database is being shut down, which is a huge blow to the scientific community. During this internship, you will be challenged to design a database from scratch, allowing our team to upload and handle reference data. You’ll also be introduced to the very basics of atomic structure calculations and radiative transfer codes. Additionally, you will be tasked with developing a website that provides a user-friendly interface for interacting with the database. This allows our peers to access and download our data, contributing for a collaborative environment in the development of Atomic Physics theoretical calculations. Although this can be a good opportunity to learn about database structures and their development, students who already have some experience will be preferred. The choice of programming language is open for discussion, and the student will have some freedom to select it.

Grupo : NUC-RIA
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Luis Leitão, Ricardo Ferreira da Silva, José Pires Marques, Tomás Campante
Email : rfsilva@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : July-September (specific dates flexible)

Exploring heavy mesons
Hadrons are composite systems of quarks and antiquarks that interact through the strong interaction, which is mediated by the exchange of gluons. This interaction is so strong that single quarks cannot be separated from other quarks, a phenomenon known as confinement. It is not yet known how exactly confinement arises from the fundamental quark and gluon interactions, but one can study effective models to learn about its properties. A particular kind of hadrons are called mesons, most of which can be understood as bound states of one quark and one antiquark. The objective of this internship project is to explore how details of the interaction between quarks and antiquarks influence the masses and the internal structure of mesons. We will focus on studying heavy mesons, where relativistic effects, most importantly spin-dependent interactions, are expected to be small enough to be treated perturbatively. By varying the strengths of these interactions, their relative importance in the theoretical descriptions of observables can be assessed. This is a theory project with a strong computational component, so experience with programming in languages like Mathematica, Fortran, C++ or Python is necessary. Candidates should also have a decent knowledge of quantum mechanics, including the quantum treatment of spin and orbital angular momentum, as well as of special relativity. Familiarity with the Dirac equation would be a plus.

Grupo : NPStrong
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Alfred Stadler, Elmar Biernat
Email : stadler@lip.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : Dates are flexible. We could start sometime in June and continue until the end of July in person at LIP. Occasional remote meetings during August would also be possible, if needed.

High Energy Physics numerical simulations with GPUs and Machine Learning
With the increasing complexity of modern Physics models, it is nearly impossible to obtain full analytical expressions, and thus one must resort to numerical calculations and simulations. However, traditional methods struggle severely with state-of-the-art physical systems, requiring more advanced numerical techniques and computational power. GPU parallelization and Machine Learning (ML) are modern and crucial techniques for one to obtain fast and precise results in large-scale systems. In this project, we aim to explore these tools to optimize High Energy Physics (HEP) simulations. Participants will be introduced to state-of-the-art numerical methods for a given HEP problem (to be decided with the students) and learn the basis of GPU parallelization and ML to further improve the execution of those methods. For Machine Learning, students are recommended to use standard Python libraries, such as Pytorch and/or Tensorflow. For GPU parallelization, it will be discussed whether to use CuPy or CUDA for C++ (more advanced), according to students experience. Successful participants will gain a strong background in numerical methods and highly transferable skills of modern computing. Requirements: Demonstrable strong skills in Python and/or C++ and standard numerical methods. This internship will be held in a hybrid regime (can be fully in-person until the end of July).

Grupo : Pheno
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Marco Leitão
Email : mleitao@lip.pt
Vagas : 3
Duração/Datas : Flexible. Availability from June to September. Recommended duration: 1.5 - 2 months

In-medium propagation of particles in an open quantum system approach
In recent years, with the rapid advancement of quantum computing and information, there has been an increasing interest in the study of open quantum systems, i.e., quantum systems that are in constant interaction with an external quantum thermal bath, leading to dissipation and decoherence. Unlike isolated systems, open systems undergo a non-unitary evolution due to the external interaction, requiring a more sophisticated mathematical description. This formalism is being extensively studied in the context of condensed matter physics, namely in topological properties of materials, transport phenomena and non-equilibrium dynamics. However, exploring the potential of open quantum systems in the context of Particle Physics remains relatively untapped. This project proposes to study the formalism of open quantum systems, using the Lindblad equation to describe a prototype of the interaction of a particle with a dense medium, both on the theory and the numerical side. The results obtained in this internship will serve as a basis for an open quantum system approach in the context of the propagation of partons in the hot and dense Quark-Gluon Plasma. The selected candidates will gain a strong background on modern quantum mechanics and state-of-the-art simulation techniques. Requirements: Elementary quantum mechanics and thermodynamics. Familiarity with standard numerical methods is recommended. This internship will be held in a hybrid regime (can be fully in-person until the end of July).

Grupo : Pheno
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Marco Leitão
Email : mleitao@lip.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : Flexible. Availability from Jun to September. Recommended duration: 1.5 - 2 months

Modeling Atomic Signatures of Heavy Elements in Kilonovae
The first direct observation of a kilonova (AT2017gfo) associated with gravitational wave event GW170817 in 2017, and the subsequent detection of AT2023vfi, have provided unprecedented opportunities to study r-process nucleosynthesis in neutron star mergers. Spectroscopic analysis of these events suggests the presence of heavy elements, but definitively identifying specific elements requires accurate atomic data and robust spectral modeling. During this internship, you will be introduced to the fundamentals of modeling atomic signatures in kilonova spectra. Your focus will be on forbidden transitions of elements like tungsten (W), platinum (Pt), gold (Au), and lanthanides, particularly in the near and mid-infrared wavelength regions where telescopes like JWST offers enhanced observational capabilities. Your activities will include: - Learning the principles of non-local thermodynamic equilibrium (NLTE) modeling in kilonova ejecta - Working with atomic databases to analyze transition probabilities and collision strengths - Implementing collisional-radiative models to predict line luminosities under kilonova conditions - Calculating emission spectra for various elements - Comparing theoretical predictions with observational data from kilonova events Background knowledge in atomic physics and programming skills (Python preferred) will be beneficial, but no prior experience in astrophysics is required.

Grupo : NUC-RIA
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Ricardo Ferreira da Silva, Luis Leitão, Jorge Sampaio, Daniel Garcia
Email : rfsilva@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : July-September (specific dates flexible)

R-Matrix Analysis of Nuclear Reactions with AZURE2
Nuclear reactions are the basis of fusion energy technologies, which aim to provide a sustainable and nearly limitless energy source for the future. This internship project focuses on reactions relevant to Ion Beam Analysis (IBA)—a technique used to study and optimize wall materials in future fusion reactors. Following the recent decision by the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) to use tungsten as its first wall material, boron has attracted increasing interest due to its role in wall conditioning. This project will investigate cross-section data for nuclear reactions of helium-3 (He-3) ions with boron isotopes (B-10 and B-11). The data will be analyzed using the open-source code AZURE2 which is based on R-matrix theory—a quantum-mechanical framework for modeling low-energy nuclear reactions, including scattering, capture, and compound nucleus formation. The two students selected for this project will start by becoming familiar with the fundamentals of nuclear reactions and R-matrix theory, and the structure and operation of the AZURE2 code. Once AZURE2 is set up and running, the students will compile input data from IAEA nuclear databases on separation energies, spin-parity assignments, and energies and widths of excited states of the compound nucleus for each reaction channel. The goal of the project is to evaluate how effectively AZURE2 can fit data for He-3-induced reactions with B-10 and B-11. Developing a robust theoretical description of these nuclear reactions will support future measurements and help generate high-quality cross-section data for IBA—critical for advancing nuclear fusion research. Candidates are expected to have a decent foundation in quantum mechanics and a basic knowledge of nuclear physics. Experience in programming and data handling would also be beneficial.

Grupo : NPStrong
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Elmar Biernat, Alfred Stadler
Email : elmar.biernat@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : Dates are flexible. We could start sometime in June and continue until the end of July in person at LIP. Occasional remote meetings during August would also be possible, if needed.

Resolving the Fundamental QCD Degrees of Freedom
Scope: This project invites students to directly probe the elementary processes of Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD), the theory of the Standard Model describing strong interactions among quarks and gluons. While these elementary particles are usually confined inside hadrons and not directly observable, this project offers a rare glimpse into these processes by examining the decay of gluons into charm and anti-charm quark pairs. Heavy quarks, due to their ability to produce discernible heavy particles, provide a unique window into the birth of QCD’s elementary particles. By focusing on gluon to charm quark pair production (g → ccbar), it is possible to trace the creation of heavy particles back to their building blocks, effectively mapping the unseeable foundational processes of the strong force. This project will explore this process to study the Quark-Gluon Plasma (QGP), a primordial state of matter produced in particle collisions at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Understanding the timescale of this process will allow us to discern the extent of the QGP traversed by heavy particles post-creation. Capitalizing on these varied timescales will enable a comprehensive tomographic analysis of the QGP’s time evolution. Methodology: This internship aims to provide students with practical data analysis capabilities and deep theoretical insights, thereby fostering a comprehensive understanding of QCD dynamics. Through the use of advanced jet clustering techniques and Monte Carlo event simulations, participants will directly contribute to the simulation and analysis of particle collision data, concentrating on gluon decay channels into quark pairs. Participants are expected to generate meaningful results that can potentially contribute to scientific publications or conference presentations. Requirements: Ideal for students currently pursuing a physics degree or master and available for 1 to 2 months partially in-person at LIP. The project timeline will be coordinated to match students availability.

Grupo : Pheno
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Liliana Apolinário
Email : liliana@lip.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : June to August