Multi-prong improved data selection (trigger-detector-less data acquisition, deadtime-free frontend electronics, Field Programmable Array (FPGA) based online selection) plus distributed physics analysis (partial wave analysis of resonances, and multi-particle correlations) for rare signal events under high background conditions (multi-PByte/month) in anti-p-p, anti-p-A, and A-A collisions for the PANDA and CBM experiments at the future FAIR facility.

Extraction of high-precision nuclear parton distribution functions (nPDF) through global fits including the latest LHC p-A and A-A data. Extension of current gluon-saturation calculations (CGC, BFKL, TMD...) to NLO accuracy with resummation corrections, for observables with three jets and with heavy-quarks. Calculation of multi-particle correlations issuing from initial-state PDF effects to separate them from final-state hydrodynamic effects in small systems (p-p, p-A collisions).

Development of novel experimental and theoretical techniques for jet physics in A-A collisions, providing a reference implementation of jet interactions in a QGP via a full heavy-ion Monte Carlo (MC) event generator. Definition of new observables and development of new tools (based on quark/gluon jet substructure variables via machine-learning techniques) with increased sensitivity to the physical mechanisms involved in jet-QGP interactions.

Address the “proton-radius puzzle” via combined data-theory analyses of new results in atomic spectroscopy (laser spectroscopy of Hydrogen molecules and molecular ions, muonic atoms, He+ ions, positronium, and muonium) and very-low momentum transfer (Q2) lepton-proton elastic scattering at various energies.