Research Assistant/Associate in High Temperature Superconductors (Fixed Term)

Location: West Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

Two Research Assistant/Associates are sought to work on a new 3-year EPSRC project, Towards compact and efficient nuclear reactors. This project seeks to develop low loss tapes suitable for use in tokomaks. The RAs will work in the CAPE building which is part of the Electrical Engineering Division of the University of Cambridge.

The role of the RAs in the project is to help develop the PSALM low loss tape system. The project will address numerous unexplored challenges in creating tapes suitable for use in fusion reactors at high currents and under AC conditions. The culmination of the project will be a fully developed low loss tape. Broadly one of the RAs will develop the tape patterning techniques, the other will be responsible for the analysis of the behaviour and expected behaviour of the resultant tapes.

There is some flexibility in the aspects of the project that the candidates will contribute to, but duties will likely include the following: Creation of Engineering drawings of magnet and support structure; Modelling of the behaviour of high temperature superconductors; Modifications to experimental test rigs for characterising tapes; Measuring the electromagnetic properties of both conventional and superconducting materials; Assessing and measuring losses and identifying appropriate control strategies; developing techniques for patterning of tapes into a roebel type structure. Training can be given in certain areas.

Experience is preferred in three or more of the following topics gained during PhD or postdoctoral work:

• Applications of HTS tape
• Experience with Autodesk or similar CAD systems
• FEM multiphysics modelling of electromagnetism (ideally in COMSOL Multiphysics and including superconductors)
• Design and construction of mechanical systems
• Cryogenic engineering

The candidate should have obtained, or be about to obtain, a PhD in a relevant subject.

The candidate must be an excellent team member as they will be required to work closely with students and other postdoctoral researchers on the project and related research.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 36 months in the first instance

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please visit: www.jobs.cam.ac.uk/job/46468.

Please ensure that you upload your Curriculum Vitae (CV) and a covering letter in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application. Please submit your application by midnight on the closing date.

If you have any questions about this vacancy Prof Tim Coombs tac1000@cam.ac.uk for technical queries or for the application process, please contact: Sue Murkett, Electrical Engineering Div-administrator email sm330@cam.ac.uk (Tel +44 01223 760304.)

Please quote reference NM41627 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Advert information