About the Project
University of Liverpool, Institute for Risk and Uncertainty, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Supervisors: Dr. A. Batou (Institute for Risk and Uncertainty, University of Liverpool), Prof. C. Welsch (Cockcroft Institute, University of Liverpool), Prof. J. Clarke (Science and Technology Facilities Council)
This project will be led by the Institute for Risk and Uncertainty, University of Liverpool, in collaboration with the Cockcroft Institute.
At the heart of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) mission is the provision of world-leading science facilities for UK researchers to pursue excellent discovery science. Amongst the facilities that STFC provides access to are huge particle accelerators, such as the Large Hadron Collider at CERN, or the Diamond Light Source at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in Oxfordshire. The STFC has decided that the next big particle accelerator that should be built in the UK is a new type of X-ray light source, called a Free Electron Laser (FEL). This new facility, so-called UK XFEL, will enable scientists to study ultra-fast processes with extreme spatial resolution. Although the design of UK XFEL has not yet started in detail it is clear from other similar projects that it will cost hundreds of millions of pounds and be hundreds of meters long.
STFC has decided that, as a first step towards the UK XFEL, a prototype FEL should first be built to minimise the long term technical and financial risks for the UK. This prototype is called CLARA, the first sections of which have now been fabricated and are being installed at Daresbury Laboratory in Cheshire. CLARA is a complex, 90m long, particle accelerator and FEL project which must manage a significant number of risks, whilst simultaneously ensuring that the goal of reducing the risks for UK XFEL is also met.
This PhD project will study all of the risks associated with CLARA and UK XFEL, carefully assess the intrinsic links between the two projects and quantify the beneficial impact of CLARA technically, financially, and otherwise on the UK XFEL.
The successful candidate will have or expect to obtain a first or upper second-class degree or equivalent (e.g. MPhys, MSci) in physics or nuclear engineering. A strong degree in another engineering field or in risk analysis is also applicable. Experience of accelerator physics is desirable but not essential.
Funding and eligibility: The project is fully funded by the CDT Quantification and Management of Risk & Uncertainty in Complex Systems & Environments for 3 or 4 years (depending on the need for the student to complete the Risk Mres). A full package of training and support will be provided by the Cockcroft Institute, and the student will take part in a vibrant accelerator research and education community of over 150 people. The PhD Studentship (Tuition fees + stipend of £ 14,553 annually over 3 or 4 years) is available for UK/EU students. In addition, a budget for use in own responsibility will be provided. An IELTS score of at least 6.5 is required.
Contact Dr A. Batou ([Email Address Removed]) for further information and informal discussions.
How to apply: http://www.cockcroft.ac.uk/join-us
Anticipated Start Date: September 2018 for 3 or 4 Years