Particle Accelerator Physics

The Department of Physics and Astronomy at Manchester is one of the largest and most active physics departments in the UK.We have a long tradition of excellence in both teaching and research, and have interests in most areas of contemporary research.

The Department has a strong presence in a number of Manchester-based centres for multidisciplinary research: The National Graphene Institute, the Photon Science Institute, the Manchester Centre for Non-Linear Dynamics, and the Dalton Nuclear Institute. In addition, the Jodrell Bank Observatory in Cheshire is a part of the department.

The research within our Particle Accelerator Group is focussed on machines associated with high energy particle physics and medical physics. The former entails breakthrough research on anti-hydrogen, on machine design for LHC high luminosity and high-energy upgrades, novel very high gradient acceleration plasma and dielectric schemes, and Terahertz radiation sources.

The medical physics work entails the design of dramatically new machines and on biological and dose delivery aspects of very high energy particle beams for improved treatment of cancer via radiotherapy – exploring the radical new concept of FLASH delivery of dose in particular. The associated experiments are conducted at world class laboratories, including CLEAR at CERN, ARES at DESY, the CLARA (Compact Linear Accelerator for Research and Applications)/VELA (Versatile Electron Linear Accelerator) facility at Daresbury laboratory, the Christie NHS Trust and the Photon Science Institute. In addition, the Cockcroft Institure of Science and Technology, in Cheshire, is a part of the Group.

To assess the potential for a studentship and current availabilty of projects contact Prof. R.M. Jones .

The postgraduate research environment is well funded and world-class as demonstrated by our ranking in REF2021. Supervision is provided by academic staff, who are leaders in their fields, with independent pastoral back-up. Transferable skills training is available and there are some school teaching opportunities.