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Opportunities for Graduate and Post-Graduate Research in Accelerator Science and Technology (pdf)
Information for Prospective PhD Students
The Cockcroft institute is looking for bright and enthusiastic individuals with degrees in Physics, Engineering or Mathematics and with an interest in accelerator science and technology.
The PhD course will be registered at one of the participating Universities: Lancaster, Liverpool, or Manchester.
The research will be based either at the University or Cockcroft Institute and involves intensive international collaboration.
General Inquiries
About PhD places should be made to phd@cockcroft.ac.uk
Specific Advertisements
PhD in Accelerator Physics
University of Liverpool and
Cockcroft Institute
A PhD studentship is available in the Liverpool University
accelerator physics group, based at the Cockcroft Institute in the Daresbury
Science and Innovation Campus. The project will focus on the development
of an online model, commissioning, and design of experiments for the EMMA
accelerator, currently under construction at Daresbury.
The project will
be in collaboration with the Accelerator Science and Technology Centre,
ASTeC of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) a major stakeholder
within the Cockcroft Institute partnership. The student will have the opportunity
to contribute to the building of a new accelerator, and work alongside
professional accelerator scientists.
Project Details
EMMA is a small accelerator,
with a circumference of 16.57 m, and accelerates electrons from 10 MeV
to 20 MeV. It is the first non-scaling Fixed Field Alternating Gradient
(FFAG) accelerator in the world. An FFAG has fixed magnetic fields. This
means that the orbit increases in circumference as the electrons are accelerated,
resulting in complex beam dynamics that have to be understood in order
to achieve optimal performance. The student will be involved in developing
detailed calculations of the beam trajectory, carrying out the diagnostics
required to achieve the first beam, and designing experiments to test predictions
about the beam behaviour. EMMA is built as a proof of concept for a non-scaling
FFAG. As a result of the compact size and rapid acceleration that is possible,
such accelerators have potential applications ranging from nuclear and
particle physics (e.g. neutrino factory and muon colliders) to cancer therapy.
Entry Requirements
Candidates should have a good honours degree (1st
Class or 2:1 minimum, or the equivalent) in physics, applied mathematics
or a related physical science.
Funding
The project is funded by the Cockcroft
Institute Core grant from STFC for 42 months. This studentship will cover
tuition fees and maintenance allowance of £12,940 per annum. Due
to STFC regulations, only UK/EU applicants with a minimum of 3 years residency
in the UK are eligible.
Applications
Applicants should submit a full CV
with the contact details of three referees by post or by email to: Dr Kai
Hock, Cockcroft Institute, Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington WA4 4AD, UK.
Email: k.m.hock@dl.ac.uk
Development of advanced positron sources for future high-energy linear colliders.
Dr. Ian Bailey: Lancaster University
The accelerator physics group at Lancaster University invites applications to fill a PhD studentship to work on the development of advanced positron sources for future high-energy linear colliders. One of the challenges facing the next generation of high-energy physics experiments is the creation of a sufficient quantity of positrons to provide the intense anti-matter beam required. In collaboration with our colleagues at the Cockcroft Institute, the Lancaster University group plays a key role in actively developing and investigating novel technologies based on helical undulator insertion magnets as well as alternative systems involving the Compton back-scattering of laser beams with application to the International Linear Collider (ILC) and the Compact LInear Collider (CLIC). Topics under evaluation include the development of simulations for modelling synchrotron radiation in complex magnetic fields, the operation of a conversion target prototype and associated data analysis, the simulation and design of appropriate accelerator lattices to transport the positrons, and the theoretical treatment and simulation of polarised particle beams. The successful candidate could be based either at Lancaster University or at the Cockcroft Institute.
Funding notes: This is an STFC funded positions open to all UK citizens and members of the EU who have been resident in the UK for the last three years.
PhD Studentship in the Mathematical Physics of Accelerators.
Dr. Jonathan Gratus: Lancaster University
The mathematical physics group in the Cockcroft Institute and the department of physics, Lancaster University, have a PhD studentship available for October 2009. Current research techniques involve differential geometry, the theory of distributions, electrodynamics, relativity, multi-particle dynamics and relativistic plasma theory. These mathematical tools are being applied fundamental problems in accelerator science.
The student will develop their knowledge of these subjects during their PhD both via small group graduate tutorials and personal study. He or she will also participate in the Cockcroft postgraduate lecture program which provides both broad and detailed understanding of the physics of particle accelerators.
Funding notes: This is an STFC funded positions open to all UK citizens and members of the EU who have been resident in the UK for the last three years.
Calculation of machine-induced backgrounds for the LHCb and ALICE experiments using particle shower and transport codes.
Dr R Appleby: Manchester University
The Large Hadron Collider at CERN, Geneva will begin taking data on the four experiments in 2009. The success of the experiments is dependent on the correct calculation, measurement and reduction of particle background fluxes impinging on the experiments from sources in the machine. This PhD project, supervised by Rob Appleby of the Cockcroft institute and CERN, will calculate machine-induced backgrounds for the LHCb and ALICE experiments using particle shower and transport codes. These calculations will be used to understand background fluxes at the LHC and contribute to the successful operation of the experiments. The work may involve measurement of backgrounds at the LHC, beam monitoring for the LHCb experiment and periods of time spent at CERN.
Funding notes: This is an STFC funded positions open to all UK citizens and members of the EU who have been resident in the UK for the last three years.
Commissioning EMMA: a new type of accelerator
Dr R Barlow, Dr H Owen: Manchester University
EMMA, the Electron Machine with Many Applications, is now under construction at the Daresbury laboratory. It is the first machine of its kind: a non scaling fixed field alternating gradient accelerator. This nsFFAG design concept can provide smaller, more compact and reliable accelerators for many purposes acroos the whole spectrum of science from medicine to particle physics. The project will be based at the Cockcroft Institute at Daresbury. It will involve working with the EMMA team, including running commissioning shifts, performing numerical simulations, checking the results against measurements, and enabling us to understand the operation of the machine and answer the many important questions we have about the way the theoretical accelerator principles work in practice, opening the way to future larger machines. It will include hands-on accelerator physics as well as theoretical and numerical studies, working with a team from the STFC Accelerator Science and Technology group as well as physicists from Manchester and other institutions across the world. We hope that the student will play a leading part in the emergence of a new and important type of accelerator, and emerge as an expert in this new field.
New Regimes of Beam Impedance Measurement and Simulation for LHC Collimators
Dr. R.M. Jones: Manchester University
In the frame of new beam collimator developments for the LHC at CERN, unconventional designs are under investigation. These designs put special emphasis on controlling and reducing the beam coupling impedance and if possible find practical ways for mitigation of this very serious problem. At present the beam dynamics are severely impacted by the impedance of the collimators and this research will have the potential to make a major impact on the LHC. Numerical, analytical and experimental work is required to get a complete picture of all electromagnetic aspects involved and also for mutual cross-check of results obtained by the different methods. This work will take place in close collaboration and discussion with collimator experts and beam dynamics specialists. It also involves consideration of new composite materials to be specially developed for this application. This exciting opportunity will entail research at CERN, CI and the University of Manchester. It is anticipated that there will also be the opportunity to participate in beam commissioning at the LHC.
You will be supervised by Dr. R.M. Jones (Univ. Manchester/CI), Dr. F. Caspers (CERN), Dr. E. Metral (CERN)
General Information
Lancaster Engineering
Contact Professor Richard Carter
The Microwave Research Group in the Engineering Department at Lancaster offers a diverse range of PhD topics covering many aspects of particle accelerator research and development from Applied Physics to Electronic Engineering. Our work ranges from blue sky research to the development of cutting edge technology for the next generation of international particle accelerators. We can offer projects with either a theoretical and computational or an experimental basis, or a combination of both, to study new technologies and methodologies for particle acceleration and electromagnetic wave generation. Our extensive research portfolio crosses several research councils and has links with national and international companies.
Lancaster Physics
Contact Professor Robin Tucker
The Lancaster Mathematical Physics group is investigating the dynamics of ultra-relativistic charge in different electromagnetic field and confining environments, such as inside plasmas, RF cavities and collimators. Our current work focuses on exploring the dynamical behaviour of accelerating charged matter due to emission and absorption of electromagnetic radiation. We aim to understand the fundamentals of the electromagnetic interactions with matter at high energy and how these impact on novel accelerator design. This work employs modern methods of differential geometry and geometrical approaches to partial differential equations. We are looking for enthusiastic applicants with a degree in mathematics or physics, and with a strong interest in theoretical physics or applied mathematics, to work with us in areas that include relativistic classical and quantum electrodynamics, stochastic and continuum mechanics, plasma and laser physics, spin dynamics, and numerical analysis.
Liverpool Physics
Contact Dr. Andy Wolski
A major area of work for the group is the study of beam dynamics in storage rings aiming to achieve very high levels of beam quality and stability. Applications include damping rings for the proposed International Linear Collider (ILC), and performance upgrades and enhancements of circular colliders and third generation light sources. Possible topics that could be studied within the context of a PhD thesis address some of the latest problems in very high performance accelerators, and include:
- Development of novel tuning techniques to minimise coupling and achieve ultra-low beam emittance in storage rings.
- Development of new computational tools for calculating wakefields using novel algorithms appropriate for short bunches.
- Extension of intrabeam scattering theory and computational tools to include dispersion and coupling effects in a fully consistent manner.
- Application of theory and computation to the provision and study of spin-polarised beams in storage rings and accelerators, and development of polarimetry.
Studies will generally involve theory, computer programming and application to a range of specific problems; and students should therefore have good mathematical, analytical and computational skills.
The group is also centrally involved in the design and prototyping of a high intensity positron source for the ILC. This work is in close collaboration with the beam insertions group within ASTeC (also part of the Cockcroft Institute), and with laboratories in the US and Germany. The work is driven primarily by the need to establish that the required intensity can be achieved with realistic construction technology, while also taking advantage of the capability of undulator-based systems to produce spin-polarised positrons. A number of opportunities exist for PhD work in the group, ranging from advanced, physics-based, applications for technological issues associated with the undulator, target and capture section, to the demonstration of the robust capture and delivery of polarised positrons for achieving the design luminosity for electron-positron collisions at the ILC interaction region. Opportunities exist for students to develop and use theoretical and experimental skills.
Manchester Physics
Contact Dr. Robert Appleby
The major work for the group is the study of the behaviour of particle beams in both linear accelerators and circular machines. In particular, the focus of our efforts lies in the area of the study of beam dynamics and optical design, and in the study of wake-field effects in accelerating structures and beam collimators. This research is being applied to current and future accelerator projects, including the International Linear Collider (ILC), the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC), and in the study of problems on the frontier of accelerator physics.
The following topics, although not limited to these areas, are available for PhD research in the group:
- The theoretical study of complex beam dynamics and the design, optimisation and practical realisation of accelerator and beamline systems. This includes the optical design of the accelerator systems for the ILC, CLIC and the LHC, and practical requirements on the machine hardware.
- Theoretical and experimental investigation of the charged particle-electromagnetic field interaction in the main accelerating cavities of the ILC and CLIC. In particular, the influence of both short-range and long-range wake-fields on beam dynamics are under study. The focus of the work is to maintain beam quality in the ILC and CLIC whilst the multi-bunch beam is accelerated through up to 44,000 superconducting cavities.
- The high electromagnetic field gradients required by the ILC and CLIC can readily result in electrical breakdown. Means of alleviating breakdown by novel cavity geometry re-design and cavity processing methods are under study.
- Study of wake-field effects in collimators at the ILC. We are undertaking a study of the simulation of higher order wakefield modes, and a comparison to experimental measurements.
- Physics and simulation of particle beam disposal dumps. The generation of electromagnetic showers results in the need for complex calculations of energy deposition, heating and radiation effects in modern particle beam dumps and collimators.
STFC ASTeC
Contact Professor Mike Poole
The Accelerator Science and Technology Centre (ASTeC) undertakes a wide range of accelerator related R&D projects on behalf of STFC at both its Daresbury and Rutherford Appleton Laboratories. Major projects in direct support of development of new national and international facilities for scientific user exploitation are supplemented by more generic programmes of underpinning accelerator science and technology.
The work of ASTeC involves aspects ranging from advanced beam dynamics simulations through to state-of-art technologies. Most programmes are in collaboration with HEI teams and particularly close links have developed with the three Cockcroft Universities. As such ASTeC offers unique opportunities to PhD students from Lancaster, Liverpool and Manchester from the start of their research careers to join world leading teams in a stimulating atmosphere, with access to international experts and to advanced experimental facilities. Examples of possible student participation are from a wide portfolio but include:
- A variety of beam dynamics simulation challenges, especially related to the physics of high brightness electron beams and including code development
- Commissioning and development of ERLP at Daresbury, Europe’s first Energy Recovery Linac experimental project
- Design studies on 4GLS, the proposed new UK national Light Source with its unique 4th generation features
- Development of advanced magnetics, radiofrequency and vacuum science technologies required by modern accelerator systems
- Research into specialised beam diagnostics instrumentation
Supervision of students would always involve Cockcroft university staff but might also be jointly with a member of ASTeC.
