RaBBiT’s research programme was devised to enable the study of radiation interaction with biomolecules, macromolecular assemblies, cells and organisms, from physical and chemical primary processes to full biological and clinical outcomes.

EXCELLENCE IN TRAINING

We are committed to promote excellent and effective supervision as well as appropriate career guidance. The programme is designed to assure that the best possible supervision is provided to students by:

• tailoring students training pathway to their former academic background, levelling knowledge by providing courses in “Biochemistry for Engineering and Physical Sciences” and/or “Physics for Life Sciences”;
• using training events focused on research ethics, outputs and career development, with such courses as “Exploring Academic Integrity”, “Science Communication”, “Career Management and Entrepreneurial Mindset“, “Finishing my PhD: The next 90 days”;
• providing a view of the past as a preamble to better understand and apply knowledge in the future with a course in “Historical Perspectives on Radiation Biochemistry and Engineering Physics”;
• making mentoring available by the Tutor of post-graduate studies which will be help students regarding the role of the PhD student, curricular choices, training courses attendance, and persistent problems or complaints possibly avoiding/resolving conflicts;
• having yearly meetings and/or conferences which will make students aware of the full body of research being done in the scope of the programme, involving students in events organising committees, and supporting networking opportunities, inside and outside the programme enhancing the student’s perception of different research areas.

PHD RESEARCH PROJECTS THEMATICS

The individual projects of recruited researchers cover, but are not limited to, the following thematics:

• atomic, molecular spectroscopy and fragmentation dynamics applied to radiation physical-chemistry/biochemistry (e.g. nanoscale underlying mechanisms);
• chemical reactivity related to the ability for bond breaking and bond making (e.g. developing molecular maps of atom-level properties);
• radiation interactions processes in nanoscale materials and at the single-molecule level (e.g. DNA radiation damage probed by DNA nanotechnology);
• biochemistry and biophysics of macromolecules (e.g. radioactive remediation and cellular detoxification);
• cell biology and radiation biology (e.g. effects of radiation and improving radiotherapy); computational modelling for medical applications (e.g. radiation therapy planning).

DOCTORAL SUPERVISORS

Specialized guidance will be provided by an array of experts in the areas covered by RABBIT allowing for personalized research pathways to be traced. Aiming to suit, value and support individual interests and research processes, as well to tackle any barriers that might stand, students will work under the supervision of RaBBiT senior researchers such as:  

︎︎︎ Alice S. Pereira (PT)

︎︎︎ Bruno Guigliarelli (FR)

︎︎︎ Gustavo Garcia (ES)
︎︎︎ Ilko Bald (DE)
︎︎︎ Jimena Gorfinkiel (UK)
︎︎︎ Janina Kopyra (PL)
︎︎︎ Karl Butterworth (UK)
︎︎︎ Kevin Prise (UK)
︎︎︎ Paulo Limão-Vieira (PT)
︎︎︎ Pedro Tavares (PT)
︎︎︎ Samuel Eden (UK)
︎︎︎ Stephen Denifl (AT)
︎︎︎ Stephen McMahon (UK)

TRAINING PARTNERSHIPS

RaBBiT provides a unique combination of training by bringing together internationally recognised European research institutions, commercial companies and health-care organisations (hospitals and radiotherapy centres) working at the forefront of research and development, in addition to specialists in developing business and transferable skills. Training events structure was designed to bring up a new generation of postgraduates in an area of highly interdisciplinary research by setting up the appropriate research training standards.