Assembly and Characterization of an RPC Detector for Muon Tomography Applications
Within the framework of the TOMAR project (Muon Tomography Applied with Resistive Plate Chambers), which aims to develop a muon tomograph based on RPC technology capable of producing high-resolution images at low cost and with potential applications in sectors such as civil engineering, infrastructure, mining, and security, the interns will actively participate in the assembly and characterization of one of the first detector planes of the telescope under development.
Throughout this process, they will gain direct hands-on experience with the operation of a particle detector, acquiring an integrated understanding of its different components, from front-end amplification electronics to the data acquisition system. This experience will provide solid practical training in scientific instrumentation, along with insight into the technological challenges associated with the development of advanced detection systems.
Grupo : RPC
Local : Coimbra
Supervisor(s) : Alberto Blanco
Email : alberto@lip.pt
Vagas : 5
Duração/Datas : June to September
Caracterização do Tracker de Raios Gama da Missão THOR a bordo do Space Rider da ESA, em função da temperatura
Em 2028, o grupo i-Astro lançará a bordo do Space Rider, um novo veículo reutilizável da ESA, o mini-observatório THOR (TGF and High-energy astrophysics Observatory for gamma-Rays on board the Space Rider) financiada pelo Programa PRODEX da ESA (PEA No. 4000141332), baseado em sensores de CdTe e Si para a observação do Universo no domínio dos raios gama. Pretende-se neste trabalho estudar o potencial de observação durante um voo de dois meses em órbita baixa.
O aluno deverá contribuir para desenvolver o instrumento científico principal da missão THOR, o tracker de raios gama constituído por 3 planos de CdTe, em particular, deverá contribuir para os estudos de calibração do sistema em função da temperatura, bem como avaliar a eficiência de deteção e a resolução em energia.
O aluno deverá operar e adaptar um programa de análise de dados, que permite ler dados de um instrumento científico e realizar análises de eficiência de deteção e resolução em energia.
Em cada medida será alterada a temperatura de operação do sistema de deteção e traçar curvas de calibração, usando fontes de radiação (alfa e gama) propriedade do LIP.
Os resultados obtidos serão incluídos no manual de instruções de calibração do instrumento THOR para a 1ª fase do voo do Space Rider.
Grupo : i-Astro
Local : Coimbra
Supervisor(s) : Alexandre Trindade & Rui Silva
Email : alexandre.trindade@lip.pt
Vagas : 3
Duração/Datas : entre junho e setembro - A combinar com o aluno datas precisas
Determinação da velocidade de deriva de eletrões em detetores de CdTe
Neste estágio, os alunos serão integrados numa equipa de investigação, na área de instrumentação para o espaço. A equipa de investigação está, neste momento, fortemente envolvida num projeto europeu com a ESA numa missão em que um vai-vém espacial não tripulado – Space Rider, colocará em órbita no ano de 2028, um dos nossos detetores de radiação de estado sólido. O trabalho consiste na utilização de detetores de radiação de estado sólido semelhantes aos da missão. Depois de uma introdução/revisão teórica do funcionamento dos diferentes tipos de detetores de radiação, os alunos vão ter a oportunidade de operar estes detetores. Com os dados recolhidos vão aprender a identificar a natureza da radiação incidente bem como a avaliar a energia e direção de incidência. O trabalho servirá para dar mais um pequeno contributo para a missão, com a caracterização dos detetores, nomeadamente na determinação da velocidade de deriva dos eletrões e a sua dependência na temperatura, usando o traço deixado (depósito de energia) na deteção de muões.
Além das competências adquiridas com a utilização dos detetores, no decorrer do estágio os alunos irão também aprender ou reforçar os seus conhecimentos de técnicas de vácuo, manuseamento de gases e de eletrónica nuclear.
Grupo : i-Astro
Local : Coimbra
Supervisor(s) : Alexandre Trindade & Afonso Marques
Email : alexandre.trindade@lip.pt
Vagas : 3
Duração/Datas : entre junho e setembro - A combinar com os alunos datas precisas
From Bonner Spheres to a Single Smart Detector Approach for Neutron Field Characterisation
This internship, hosted by the Neutron Detectors Group at LIP in Coimbra, Portugal, focuses on the development and simulation of a novel neutron spectrometer design. Neutron detection plays a vital role across a wide range of applications, from nuclear safety and material analysis to medical physics techniques such as boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT).
The project centers on evaluating an innovative detector concept based on neutron Resistive Plate Chambers (nRPCs) interspersed with a high-density polyethylene moderator, proposed as a more efficient alternative to the conventional Bonner Sphere Spectrometer, a well-established but time-consuming multi-detector method for characterising neutron energy fields.
The students will be introduced to Monte Carlo simulation toolkits ANTS3 and Geant4, to model and optimise both the novel detector and the Bonner Sphere system (used as a benchmark), alongside hands-on experimental work including data acquisition and processing.
By the end of the internship, students are expected to present their results at the LIP Summer Student Internship Workshop, and submit an internal technical note 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 : 1-2 months, flexible
Improvements to the OPGI prototype configuration for planning new experimental beam measurements
Proton therapy (PT) is expanding worldwide due to its ability to deliver a highly conformal dose to the irradiated target. However, several factors can compromise this conformality, leading to undesirable situations that are suspected to correlate with tumor recurrence. In this context, various approaches have been proposed for the in vivo monitoring of PT dose delivery and for verification of the proton beam range. One such approach is based on the detection of orthogonal prompt gamma rays produced by proton–nucleus interactions within the body. At LIP, we developed a small three-channel prototype, which was tested under proton beam irradiation conditions in Delft, the Netherlands. The main objectives of this work are: (1) to analyze the experimentally acquired data using MATLAB software; and (2) to investigate, through GEANT4 simulations, potential optimizations to be implemented in a new experimental campaign using proton and/or X-ray beams.
Grupo : ORimag
Local : Coimbra
Supervisor(s) : Hugo Simões
Email : hugo.simoes@lip.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : June to September (exact dates to be agreed upon with supervisor)
Building a network of AI agents to test hypotheses in social physics
n the Social Physics and Complexity research group we use quantitative models tested in digital data to understand human behaviour and develop tools that benefit society https://socialcomplexity.eu/.
Large Language Models (LLMs) and multi-modal generative artificial intelligence models have infiltrated all aspects of society and their influence is only expected to grow. However, they are black boxes in that their outputs cannot be understood from first principles in a trivial way. It is thus important that we understand and predict their behaviour in different situations. Furthermore, as LLMs are trained on human-generated data to mimic human interactions, they offer an experimental platform for developing and testing new mechanistic models of behavior. Indeed, LLMs are increasingly being leveraged in computational social science [1], particularly for understanding specific aspects of human interaction (e.g., [2, 3]). While LLMs are not expected to behave identically to humans, we can compare their textual outputs with empirical observations. This approach offers an advantage over traditional agent-based models, as we dont need to parameterize every aspect of their interactions, allowing for the testing of more complex hypotheses.
At SPAC, we want to build an artificial social network where we are able to fully customize agent behaviour as well as adapt it to use different model architectures. The students participating in this internship will create a functional prototype of this network and run a pilot experiment.
References
[1] Ziems, C., Held, W., Shaikh, O., Chen, J., Zhang, Z., & Yang, D. (2024). Can large language models transform computational social science?. Computational Linguistics, 50(1), 237-291. https://direct.mit.edu/coli/article/50/1/237/118498
[2] Jia, F., Ye, Z., Lai, S., Shu, K., Gu, J., Bibi, A., ... & Chen, C. (2024). Can large language model agents simulate human trust behavior?. Advances in neural information processing systems, 37, 15674-15729. https://proceedings.neurips.cc/paper_files/paper/2024/hash/1cb57fcf7ff3f6d37eebae5becc9ea6d-Abstract-Conference.html
[3] Ashery, A. F., Aiello, L. M., & Baronchelli, A. (2025). Emergent social conventions and collective bias in LLM populations. Science Advances, 11(20), eadu9368. https://www.science.org/doi/full/10.1126/sciadv.adu9368
Grupo : SPAC
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Lilia Perfeito
Email : lperfeito@lip.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : June and July 2026
Cooking quantum dots for particle detection
Scintillating materials, which emit light when traversed by ionizing radiation, are one of the main tools for particle detection. In particular, liquid scintillators have long been used for large-scale detectors such as those used for neutrino and dark matter experiments. Typical liquids consist of organic scintillator compounds in solvent, which pose environmental risks, or noble elements kept at cryogenic temperatures, which pose logistical challenges.
This project will explore the use of carbon quantum dots to produce water-based scintillating solutions that are a promising and environmentally safe technology to overcome the main challenges in the liquid scintillator detector state-of-the-art. Carbon quantum dots will be synthesized from household items such as sugar, used coffee grounds or orange juice using a microwave oven. Several solutions will be prepared and their fluorescence will be assessed under UV light. The most promising solutions will then be exposed to a radioactive source and their response to ionizing radiation will be measured with photomultiplier tubes as used in particle physics experiments. The students will prepare the carbon quantum dot solutions, take data in LIP’s scintillating materials laboratory in Lisbon, and analyse the data to quantify the sensitivity of water-based carbon quantum dot solutions to ionizing radiation.
Grupo : Neutrinos
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Sofia Andringa, Cristóvão Vilela
Email : c.vilela@cern.ch
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : Flexible
Electronics - Development for the BoneOscopy and FLASHGuard Projects
N/A
Grupo : Particles4Health
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Gonçalo Ribeiro e Gonçalo Roriz
Email : gmribeiro@lip.pt
Vagas : 0
Duração/Datas : n/A
Experimental Validation of the FLASHGuard Prototype Using an Sr-90 Source
This work focuses on the experimental testing and validation of the FLASHGuard prototype. The project is centered on the use of an already developed and instrumented system, aiming to assess its performance under controlled laboratory conditions. The prototype is designed to ensure reliable data acquisition, high system responsiveness, and safe operation.
A key objective is the validation of the system using a Strontium-90 (Sr-90) radioactive source, enabling controlled evaluation of its behavior under radiation exposure. The experimental campaign will support the analysis of system responsiveness, robustness, and measurement consistency. The results are expected to contribute to the verification of the FLASHGuard concept and provide insights for future improvements.
Grupo : Particles4Health
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Gonçalo Roriz & Pedro Assis
Email : goncalororiz@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : 06/07-31/07
Geant4 Simulation Study of new variants of the FLASHGuard Project
This project presents a preliminary Geant4 simulation study aimed at characterizing and optimizing the spatial resolution of a novel detector concept developed within the FLASHGuard Project for beam monitoring in FLASH radiotherapy (RT). The work involves the complete definition, implementation, and validation of a comprehensive simulation framework, including detector geometry, material properties, optical photon transport, and realistic readout modelling.
The study focuses on quantifying the detector’s spatial resolution as a function of key design parameters and irradiation conditions, with the goal of identifying optimal configurations. In addition, a dedicated case study is performed using a Laser Wakefield Acceleration (LWFA) beam, incorporating a realistic phase-space description to evaluate detector performance under the beam’s distinctive characteristics.
Reconstruction strategies are assessed and performance metrics are defined to systematically evaluate detector response. The outcomes of this work include simulation-driven design guidelines and recommendations to support the next development phase of the FLASHGuard device. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into detector optimization and feasibility for emerging ultrahigh-dose-rate beams, contributing to ongoing advancements in FLASH RT beam monitoring.
Grupo : Particles4Health
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Gonçalo Ribeiro & Pedro Assis
Email : gmribeiro@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : 21/07-7/09
Instrumentation Development for the FLASHGuard Advanced Radiotherapy Monitoring Project
Development in the FLASHGuard Advanced Radiotherapy Monitoring Project
Grupo : Particles4Health
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Manuel Ratola & Pedro Assis
Email : manuelratola22@tecnico.ulisboa.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : 21/07-7/09
Optical Fibre Instrumentation R&D for the AntiMatter-OTech Detector
This project focuses on the development of optical fibre instrumentation for the AntiMatter-OTech detector, an innovative LiquidO-based antineutrino detector being built in Lisbon to monitor nuclear reactors non-invasively. Before construction, the detector’s optical readout systems require extensive prototyping and testing, and the student will contribute to optimizing the fibre instrumentation, evaluating different optical fibre technologies, and developing systems to validate fibre readout during detector assembly. The project will be developed in LIPs Laboratory of Optics and Scintillating Materials and integrated within the AntiMatter-OTech consortium.
Grupo : LOMaC
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Rute Pedro and Agostinho Gomes
Email : rute@lip.pt
Vagas : 3
Duração/Datas : July to September
Optical Instrumentation for the TileCal/ALLEGRO detector at the Future Circular Collider
This project supports the development of optical-based particle detectors for future collider experiments, focusing on the ALLEGRO detector concept proposed for the Future Circular Collider (FCC-ee). The work involves the optical characterisation of new plastic scintillator materials for the high-granularity hadronic calorimeter prototype and studies of scintillator–fibre coupling to optimize light collection efficiency and detector performance.
Grupo : LOMaC
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Rute Pedro and Agostinho Gomes
Email : rute@lip.pt
Vagas : 2
Duração/Datas : July to September
Particle tracks reconstruction using passive dosimeters - a path towards cell level dosimetry
In the past few months, we have been irradiating a type of dosimeters called FNTDs (https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3576173). The dosimeters were irradiated with alpha particles (target: dosimeter) and neutrons (target: HDPE+dosimeter). After irradiation, information is stored in the dosimeter in displaced electrons trapped in the band gap.
The stored information is related to dosimetric quantities. The most common dosimeters use thermoluminescence (TL) or optically stimulated luminescence (OSL). FNTDs, fantastically, can track particles, and the tracks can be associated with a quantity called LET, most relevant for micro- and nano- dosimetry, which means looking at the cell-level scale.
The FNTD readout uses confocal microscopy (CFM) to collect segments that make the particle tracks. CFM readout, besides selecting wavelength ranges for excitation/readout, works by defining several focal planes (with a width of the order of tenths of micrometre) along the dosimeters thickness and recording the hotspots. The measured tracks correspond to or are associated with the LET of particles crossing the dosimeter volume. For a particle crossing the volume, this results in a correlation between the different recorded CFM planes. The commonly used SW is Fiji (https://imagej.net/software/fiji/).
Would you be interested in reviewing a set of images collected for these dosimeters. The goal is to review the images and collect all the information on existing tracks: geometric and intensity. In the end, you will have defined a methodology to deal with these images that we can use for dosimeter readout in future irradiations.
Grupo : ATLAS
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Cristiana Rodrigues (cristiana@lip.pt), Joao Gentil Saraiva (gentil@lip.pt)
Email : gentil@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : N/A
The Science Behind the Low-cost Production of Sapphires for Dosimetric Applications
Hadron therapy has emerged as one of the most promising forms of radiation therapy, offering
exceptional precision in targeting tumors while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Yet,
despite major technological advances, current treatment planning still relies heavily on macroscopic
absorbed-dose metrics. These do not fully capture how energy is deposited at the microscopic and
nanoscopic scales where biological damage actually occurs. To unlock the full therapeutic potential of
hadron therapy, new microscale dosimetry tools are needed, tools capable of linking physical dose
deposition to the biological response of individual cells. At LIP, ongoing research focuses on
developing micro/nanodosimetric techniques and detectors with improved spatial resolution. These
efforts aim to bridge the gap between physical radiation interactions and radiobiological effects.
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 passive
dosimetry methods, Thermoluminescence (TL) and Optically Stimulated Luminescence (OSL) stand
out. Materials such as carbon-doped sapphire (Al2O3:C) are widely used due to their excellent
luminescent properties. However, the search for improved or application-specific materials is an active
and exciting research frontier.
This internship offers the opportunity to contribute directly to this field by exploring the growth and
characterization of doped and undoped Al2O3 crystals produced using a novel method. These crystals
will be evaluated for their potential use in luminescence-based dosimetry. The crystals will be
synthesized using the flux method, where a volatile flux is evaporated at a constant temperature,
significantly below the melting point of the material, to gradually bring the solution into a
supersaturated state and promote crystal formation. The student will engage in the following tasks:
Growth of Al2O3 crystals (doped and undoped) using the flux method; Preparation and handling of crystal samples for characterizations; Chemical/Elemental characterization using X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) or other methods; Structural analysis via X-ray Diffraction (XRD); Optical analysis using UV-Vis spectroscopy; Luminescence characterization using the RISO DA-20 TL/OSL Reader at C2TN; Data analysis, interpretation, and documentation of results.
These techniques will help determine dopant incorporation, crystal purity, and lattice structure, key
factors influencing luminescence performance. 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: Gain hands-on experience in laboratory work; Understand the principles and applications of solid-state synthesis and crystal growth.
Grupo : RADART
Local : Lisboa
Supervisor(s) : Cristiana Rodrigues, João Gentil
Email : cristiana@lip.pt
Vagas : 1 or 2
Duração/Datas : Adjustable and discussed with students from June to early September (probable stop in August due to Holidays but remote work may proceed)
Development of a low cost plastic scintillator based cosmic ray detector for outreach applications
Detection of cosmic ray muons is one of the simplest demonstrations that can be made for high school students. LIP already has a successful program based on the reproduction of the Hesse experiment using a detector based on a Geiger counter.
This project aims to expand the portfolio, by implementing a low cost detector based on plastic scintillator, that can be used as an evolution of the previous experiment. The goal is to develop a compact detector, including the eletronics, as well as additional sensors, to allow for continuous data acquisition and detector monitoring.
Grupo : LIP - Geral
Local : Minho
Supervisor(s) : Nuno Barros
Email : barros@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : 1/6 - 14/08
Simulation of a new photon detector design for neutrino detectors
The ARAPUCA family of detectors have been developed and deployed with great success in various high energy neutrino physics experiments. These detectors are able to separate the light emitted from particle interactions into two groups, separating the less abundant, but directional Cherenkov emission component from the dominant, isotropic liquid scintillator component.
The goal to this project is to initiate study to expand this technology to detectors using liquid scintillator. The goal is to develop a Geant4 based simulation of a setup that will permit to characterize different aspects of the detector, and carry out a study of different detector approaches to guide the design of the setup to be assembled.
Grupo : Neutrinos
Local : Minho
Supervisor(s) : Nuno Barros, José Maneira
Email : barros@lip.pt
Vagas : 1
Duração/Datas : 1/6 - 14/08