Gamma Radiation Dose Evaluation (GRaDE) - Outdoor gamma dose evaluation for the Irish population( WD_2023_69_WSCH)
19 Jan 2024
Job Information
- Organisation/Company
South East Technological University- Research Field
Physics » Other- Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)- Country
Ireland- Application Deadline
7 Feb 2024 - 16:00 (Europe/Dublin)- Type of Contract
Other- Job Status
Full-time- Hours Per Week
35- Offer Starting Date
1 Apr 2024- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?
Not funded by an EU programme- Reference Number
WD_2023_69_WSCH- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description
Post summary
External exposure to terrestrial gamma radiation represents a significant component to the total average annual dose received by a person living in Ireland from all sources of ionising radiation. External gamma ray doses from natural radionuclides originate largely from the decay of radionuclides belonging to the radioactive decay series of 238 U, 235 U and 232 Th, as well as from the decay of 40 K, all of which have been present on the Earth since its formation. In addition, a number of artificial radionuclides (e.g., 137 Cs and 241 Am) have been deposited throughout Ireland as a result of fallout from nuclear weapons testing and accidental releases such as those from the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear accidents. Since terrestrial gamma radiation depends on the nature of the underlying bedrock and soil composition, as well as the pattern of deposition of artificial radionuclides, an individual’s annual dose as a result of this exposure pathway will largely be determined by their place of residence. Several studies of gamma dose rates from natural and artificial radionuclides in Ireland were conducted in the 1980s and 1990s, and these have formed the basis for the estimation of terrestrial gamma radiation doses in the periodic assessments which are carried out by the EPA on the average annual radiation doses received by the Irish population from all sources of ionising radiation. By undertaking a comprehensive new survey of natural and artificial radionuclide concentrations and gamma ray dose rates throughout Ireland, and linking the results of these ground surveys to the detailed radiometric data generated by the Tellus airborne surveys which have been conducted by the Geological Survey of Ireland
since 2012, the GRaDE project aims to develop a better understanding of the geographical distribution of natural and artificial gamma-emitting radionuclide concentrations in the Irish terrestrial environment with a view to providing a more accurate, up to date estimate of the average annual effective dose that a member of the Irish public receives as a result of exposure from terrestrial gamma radiation. By making use of a combination of high-resolution gamma spectrometry measurements, direct gamma dose rates gathered in the field using calibrated field monitors, and the gamma dose rates inferred from available aerial radiometric data on uranium, thorium and potassium concentrations, and 137 Cs deposition from the Tellus programme, a set of new, high-resolution maps on radionuclide concentrations and gamma ray dose rates throughout Ireland will be generated using appropriate Geographical Information Systems (GIS) tools. These maps, together with information on population density, will be used to generate a map of outdoor gamma ray doses in Ireland and to investigate the range and average annual doses to a member of the Irish public arising from terrestrial gamma radiation.
The work undertaken by the PhD student will include a combination of field work (soil sampling), radiometric determination using high-resolution gamma spectrometry with HPGe detectors and in-situ air kerma dose rate measurements using portable detectors. A significant portion of the project work will be undertaken in the EPA’s radioanalytical laboratories which are based in Dublin. It is anticipated that the PhD student will be based in the EPA laboratories (Dublin) for the first two years of the project and at SETU (Waterford) for the final two years.
Requirements
- Research Field
- Physics » Other
- Education Level
- Bachelor Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Person specification
Qualifications
Desirable
- Appropriate Masters (Level 9 NFQ) degree or equivalent in Physics or a closely related discipline.
- Research or industrial experience in gamma ray spectroscopy.
Knowledge & Experience
Desirable
- Experience with gamma ray spectroscopy.
Skills & Competencies
Desirable
- Proficiency in scientific programming (e.g. Python or other).
- Experience with gamma spectrometry software.
- Familiarity with Geographical Information Systems (GIS).
Specific Requirements
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential
Applicants should hold, or expect to attain, as a minimum a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in Physics or a related discipline.
Knowledge & Experience
Essential
- Good experimental and instrumentation skills.
- Mathematical and computational skills, including programming experience.
Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Ability to work cooperatively with other researchers in a multi-disciplinary team, be analytical, have problem solving skills, be honest and trustworthy, be respectful, possess cultural awareness and sensitivity, be flexible, be safety conscious and demonstrate sound work ethics.
- Research skills including data collection and data analysis.
- Excellent presentation, communication and academic writing skills.
- Applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of competency in English, please see WIT’s English Language Requirements for details.
- Full driver’s licence as the student will be expected to undertake sampling campaigns throughout Irelan
- Languages
- ENGLISH
- Level
- Excellent
Additional Information
Benefits
Supervisor(s) | Dr. Claire Keary (SETU), Dr. Joe Murphy (SETU), Dr. Luis Leon Vintro (UCD), Dr. Liam Morrison (UoG), Dr. Eve Daly (UoG) |
Research Group | Environmental Radiation Research Group |
Department /School/Faculty | Department of Science, School of Science and Computing |
Duration | 4 Years(48 months) |
Status: Full-time / part-time | Full-time Structured PhD Programme |
Funding information | Funding Agency: EPA Funding Programme: EPA Research Programme 2021 – 2030 |
Value of the scholarship per year for four years | Stipend: €25,000 per annum Fees: €5,750 per annum
|
Eligibility criteria
Further information
For any informal queries, please contact Dr. Claire Keary on email :[email protected]
For queries relating to the application and admission process please contact the Postgraduate Admissions Office via email [email protected] or telephone +353 (0)51 302883.
University Website https://www.setu.ie/
Selection process
Application procedure
Download the Research Postgraduate Application Form and return completed applications to [email protected] quoting WD_2023_69_WSCH in the email subject line.
Please note that paper submissions will not be accepted.
- Website for additional job details
https://www.setu.ie/research/setu-phd-scholarship-programme-2023/funded-researc…
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available
- 1
- Company/Institute
- South East Technological University
- Country
- Ireland
- State/Province
- Waterford
- City
- Waterford
- Postal Code
- X91 KOEK
- Street
- Cork Road Campus, Cork Road
- Geofield
Where to apply
- Website
https://www.setu.ie/research/setu-phd-scholarship-programme-2023/funded-researc…
Contact
- City
Waterford- Website
https://www.setu.ie/research- Street
Cork Road- Postal Code
X91KOEK
[email protected]- Phone
+35351302883
STATUS: EXPIRED