PhD Opportunity: Beam Dynamics for Next-Gen Accelerators with Superconducting ‘CCT’ Magnets

This project aims to unlock the potential of novel superconducting magnets by advancing our understanding of how they influence beam behaviour. Based in the School of Physics, the student will join a new collaboration between the University of Melbourne, the Australian Synchrotron (ANSTO), and the University of Manchester.

Future particle accelerator facilities require magnets with higher fields and tighter curvature than is currently achievable. Superconducting Canted Cosine Theta (CCT) magnets have been proposed for accelerators across all scales, from the smallest next-gen cancer treatment machines to CERN’s 91km Future Circular Collider. The key advantage of CCT magnets is the flexibility in the superconducting cable winding path, which enables magnets with very high curvature and arbitrary multipolar content.

Though several designs for CCT magnets have been produced, the dynamics of particle beams traversing them remain poorly understood. The goal of this project is to identify and develop novel techniques to characterise and optimise beam dynamics in accelerators incorporating CCT magnets.

This project will involve theory, simulation and experiment including:

• Design and optimisation studies of CCT magnets with complex geometries
• Simulation of particle beam behaviour
• Development of theoretical approaches for nonlinear beam dynamics
• Investigation of CCT applications to case studies: the Future Circular Collider and/or particle therapy facilities
• Experimental validation of predictions using the Melbourne Pelletron Accelerator Lab
• International travel opportunities for conferences, workshops, collaboration meetings, and experiments

We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with a master’s degree in physics or a related discipline. Experience with coding, experimental and/or theoretical work is desirable, as is prior interest in accelerator physics. We especially welcome and encourage applications from women, non-binary, indigenous and other traditionally underrepresented groups.

Interested applicants should send a short CV and grade transcript by September 14 to:

Dr. Adam Steinberg: a.steinberg@unimelb.edu.au

A/Prof Suzie Sheehy: suzie.sheehy@unimelb.edu.au