COPCA-DN (COllision Physics and Chemistry and its Application - Doctoral Network)

Charged-particle collisions with atoms and molecules are ubiquitous and underpin many natural and industrial processes, ranging from aurorae to plasma fabrication. Indeed, our understanding of such diverse phenomena as cosmic ray interactions with planetary atmospheres and surfaces, molecular synthesis in the interstellar medium, plasma generation and processing leading to material design and nanofabrication and the development of next-generation radiotherapy using ion beams, all rely upon a knowledge of collisions between electrons and ions with atoms and molecules. It is therefore vital to provide a training programme that ensures the provision of the next generation of researchers in both industry and academia with expertise in collisional phenomena and their role in physical and chemical processes. To date there is no such doctoral training programme that combines hands-on experimental research with a strong theoretical background whilst placing such research in the context of its application. With its emphasis on project-based, personal research training coupled with secondments in academia and industry and with core skills training, the COPCA-DN will deliver such a training programme that has been identified by both applied and fundamental research communities as essential to future development of their fields. The COPCA-DN brings together leading researchers and their state-of-the-art laboratories to conduct pioneering research that will deliver new data whilst simultaneously developing next-generation research facilities exploring collision physics and chemistry. The Research programme will be supported by training in both academic and transferable skills to prepare the DN’s 10 ESRs for a wide range of careers across sectors in both academia and industry. The COPCA-DN formalism is thus seen to be an exemplar for wider training pan-EU programmes.