21, Dec 2011

A multimillion Euro international research network wants 17 early stage researchers to join its team to explore the latest in laser technology. The network was launched at the University of Liverpool.

Known as the LA3-NET, the consortium seeks to develop laser applications for particle accelerators, and bring together world-leading research centers, universities, and industry partners to train future physicists and engineers. The four-year project, selected from among more than 900 other proposals, is backed by the EU with a corpus of nearly €4.6million. The project will focus on delivering the highest quality ion and electron beams and explore how the unprecedented accelerating gradients found in lasers can be used to benefit future particle accelerators.

The LA3-NET leader, university physicist Dr. Carsten Welsch, says, “LA3-NET aims to include really exciting research areas in laser application, such as laser particle beam generation or beam diagnostics. We will be using lasers in very different ways to work with particle beams; to generate them, shape them, accelerate them and also to characterise them. The network will try to push the limits of laser applications for accelerators.”
“We want to try and define improved training standards for early stage researchers. We will employ 17 researchers from all parts of the world. We want to provide them with training through research that gives them the ideal base for successful career, wherever they want to continue their work,” he says.

At the time of recruitment by the host organization, early stage researchers must be in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers and have not yet been awarded a doctoral degree. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree that would formally entitle them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training was provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged. The trainees will work throughout Europe, in countries such as the Czech Republic, Spain, France, and Romania, with two based at the University of Liverpool.

The deadline for applying is January 6, 2012. For more information, visit http://www.liv.ac.uk/la3net/vacancies/definitions.html