Particle accelerators have become critical tools, with more than 17 000 in operation around the world in research institutes, industry and hospitals. An EU-funded training network is preparing young researchers in the skills required to optimise them.
From basic research into the nature of materials both living and non-,
to environmental protection to medical diagnostics, the value of
accelerating particles to great speeds is recognised by many fields. Top
academic and research-oriented industrial organisations across Europe
have joined forces to train a new group of young researchers to ensure
particle accelerators are the best they can be.
The goal of the EU-funded project 'Optimization of particle accelerators: A Marie Curie Initial Training Network' (
OPAC)
is to foster expertise in a number of fields through network-wide
training events and secondments. Equally importantly, scientists seek to
develop long-term links that will bridge sectorial barriers.
Partners set up industry booths at the International Particle
Accelerator Conference (IPAC) in May 2012 and the International Beam
Instrumentation Conference (IBIC) in September 2013 to advertise the
Marie Curie Fellowships. Twenty out of 22 positions have now been filled
and research is well underway. The team has distributed a leaflet to
the international community highlighting projects, researchers and
partners.
Training and education has been particularly active with two
hands-on training days for fellows hosted by industry partners and the
first topical workshop that attracted more than 120 researchers from
around the world. The project's first school trained fellows in
complementary skills. The format was commended by the European
Commission as best practice for providing future generations of
scientists and engineers with the skills to produce world-class
research. The project has also been the focus of numerous articles in a
variety of research and education forums.
The OPAC network continues to grow. It now includes 12 beneficiary
partners, 10 associated partners and 12 adjunct partners providing a
very rich cross-sectorial and cross-cultural training experience.
Building on core European expertise in accelerator applications of
lasers, partners and fellows will strengthen the European Research Area
(ERA). Optimisation of particle accelerators will have broad benefits
for the growing user community and for EU citizens.
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