Educational Opportunities

Department of Energy-Funded Traineeships in Accelerator Science & Engineering

The U.S. Department of Energy is presently funding several traineeships designed to support graduate-level education in critical need areas within Accelerator Science and Engineering. The traineeships are open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

ASET (Accelerator Science and Engineering Traineeship)
Michigan State University
ASET at MSU supports PhD or MS students in the Physics and Astronomy or Engineering Departments with research traineeships linked to U.S. national laboratories. Students first study at MSU with traineeship support to prepare. Studies can include USPAS classes. Then they are placed at national laboratories, industry, or at FRIB at MSU to carry-out traineeships linked to their research choice. The traineeship partner is selected to fit the student’s interests. Topics under ASET include: superconducting RF technology and RF engineering, ion source development, beam dynamics and optics, computer modeling and advanced computations, cryogenic systems, beam diagnostics and instrumentation, and accelerator controls and optimization. More information on MSU can be found under University Graduate Programs link on the USPAS website. Information on ASET including contacts to ask questions and application procedures can be found at Accelerator Science and Engineering Traineeship (ASET). Students can earn a certificate in Accelerator Science and Engineering. For students in cryogenic engineering, studies are coordinated with the MSU Cryogenic Initiative.

CAST (Chicagoland Accelerator Science Traineeship)
Illinois Institute of Technology and Northern Illinois University
CAST supports Master's-level programs at IIT and NIU in the greater Chicago area. Students awarded a fellowship will receive funds to cover a stipend for living expenses and tuition needed for a Master's degree (this should take 2-2.5 years). Students accepted into this program will perform research at Fermilab, Argonne National Lab, or a participating local industrial partner to produce a Master's-level thesis. Students successfully completing the MS program may have opportunities to continue toward a PhD at the same institution (IIT or NIU). Fellowship recipients will attend the USPAS for part of their educational training. NIU and IIT have a strong tradition of training graduate students in accelerator science and technology. Together they have graduated over 50 MS and PhD degrees in the past 20 years. More information can be found at https://www.niu.edu/clas/nicadd/graduate/CAST.shtml

To apply at IIT contact Yagmur Torun torun@iit.edu to express interest and/or ask questions. Submit an application at
https://admissions.iit.edu/graduate/apply

To apply at NIU contact Xueying Lu xylu@niu.edu to express interest and/or ask questions. Submit an application at https://www.niu.edu/grad/admissions/apply-now.shtml

Ernest Courant Traineeship in Accelerator Science and Engineering
Stony Brook University and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
In collaboration with Cornell University and Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the Center for Accelerator Science and Education (CASE) established the Ernest Courant Traineeship in Accelerator Science & Engineering which is funded by the Department of Energy's Office of High Energy Physics. This MS and PhD program will provide for in-depth studies of the following topics: (a) Physics of large accelerators and systems engineering; (b) Superconducting radiofrequency accelerator physics and engineering; (c) Radiofrequency power system engineering, and (d) Cryogenic systems engineering (especially liquid helium systems). Students in the traineeship program who complete the necessary courses will be issued a certificate in Accelerator Science and Engineering with specialization in one of the four areas listed above. More information can be found at CASE.

Tigner Traineeships in Accelerator Science
Cornell University, Arizona State University, University of Chicago and University of California, Los Angeles
The consortium of Cornell University, Arizona State University, UCLA, and University of Chicago established a new DOE Accelerator traineeship program named after Maury Tigner, an inventor, designer, builder, leader, mentor, and teacher in the accelerator field. The targeted topic areas the proposed Tigner traineeship are Superconducting RF cavities and Physics of large accelerators and systems engineering. The program provides structured training in modern accelerator science and technology, embeds students in labs, and provides professional development that begins during their Fellowship period and extends through to graduation. The program curriculum includes academic courses, mini-courses in specialized topics, professional development, and training in research and team science. Trainees work full time in accelerator research, with explicit emphasis on hands on experience. The program includes collaboration with scientists at the DOE National Laboratories and an internship at a National Laboratory. This program gives its graduates the skills, tools, and motivation needed to become leaders in the accelerator field.

More information on the accelerator physics programs at the partner institutions can be found at https://physics.cornell.edu/research/accelerator-physics (Cornell), https://pbbl.lab.asu.edu (ASU), https://physics.uchicago.edu/research/accelerator-physics/ (U. of Chicago), and http://pbpl.physics.ucla.edu (UCLA). For questions, please contact Prof. Matthias Liepe at Cornell University via email mul2@cornell.edu

VITA (Virginia Innovative Traineeships in Accelerators)
Old Dominion University, Norfolk State University, and Hampton University
VITA supports Master's-level and early-year Ph.D. studies at Old Dominion University (ODU), Norfolk State University (NSU) and Hampton University (HU) in a wide variety of accelerator physics and accelerator technology topics. Located nearby Thomas Jefferson National Laboratory, students can be engaged in projects developing the world-leading CEBAF superconducting accelerator there. Traineeship awards will include funds to cover a stipend for living expenses and tuition needed for a Master's degree or for two years of study in a Ph.D. program, and students will have the opportunity to train under scientists and engineers in projects at Jefferson Lab. Students successfully completing our VITA Masters program may choose to continue within VITA as a PhD candidate or seek attractive employment opportunities at Jefferson Lab or other national laboratories based on skills acquired while attaining their MS degree. Fellowship recipients will utilize the USPAS for part of their traineeships. A total of nine Master's theses and sixty-four Ph.D. theses have been completed for work on accelerator science and engineering at CEBAF, beginning in 1994. Information on VITA including contacts to ask questions and application procedures can be found at https://www.odu.edu/graduateschool/vita

At ODU contact Jean Delayen delayen@odu.edu (physics) or Khan Iftekharuddin kiftekha@odu.edu (engineering) to express interest and/or ask questions.

At NSU contact Rasha Morsi rmorsi@nsu.edu to express interest and/or ask questions.

At HU contact Demetris Geddis demetris.geddis@hamptonu.edu to express interest and/or ask questions.