Programs in the United Kingdom
The Fusion CDT program offers doctoral training from experts in a range of fusion-relevant disciplines: materials science, plasma physics, nuclear physics, technology, laser physics, and instrumentation.
Fusion Centre for Doctoral Training
The EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Fusion Energy Science and Technology, or Fusion CDT for short, is a world-class PhD training program in the UK involving the University of York, Durham University, the University of Liverpool, the University of Manchester and the University of Oxford. It will train at least 80 PhD students in disciplines related to fusion energy over 4 intakes (2020-2024).
Students have access to a range of fusion energy facilities across the UK, including the Central Laser Facility at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, the MAST Upgrade and JET tokamaks at Culham in Oxfordshire, advanced materials research facilities, the Orion laser and high performance computing facilities. International links provide access to many other fusion devices and facilities around the world.
Following registration at their host university, students will begin the course by studying a range of modules designed to equip them for PhD-level research. These modules are delivered by all the universities of the CDT, and students are funded to spend some time at each of them (if travel is allowed) before embarking on the research project leading to their PhD.
The combination of world-leading experts and world-class facilities creates an outstanding training environment for the next generation of fusion scientists—the generation who will work on STEP, ITER, NIF and other international experiments to make fusion energy a reality.
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MSC in Fusion Energy
Research into fusion is entering an exciting new era with several large facilities aiming to achieve the crucial milestone of net energy gain. New international fusion facilities are crucial steps on the way to reliable fusion energy but there are still many challenges to overcome.
This MSc will prepare you to address these challenges. You will be introduced to the skills in computational and experimental plasma physics, and conduct cutting-edge research under the guidance of physicists at the York Plasma Institute.
You'll take a number of core lecture courses, supplemented by laboratory work designed to develop your computational and experimental skills. You can choose from a range of option modules to focus your learning on topics you wish to pursue further.
You will also explore the many exciting areas of modern plasma research, for example: cutting-edge medical therapies utilizing plasma jets and beams of laser-generated ions; plasmas as compact particle accelerators and next generation plasma space propulsion systems.
The MSc culminates in a major research project where, under the supervision of world-leading physicists at the York Plasma Institute (and opportunities with our external partners too), you will conduct cutting-edge research in fusion.
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Apprenticeship Opportunities
Oxfordshire Advanced Skills offers advanced engineering apprenticeships and trainings aimed at acquiring experience and qualifications in disciplines including Engineering Operative, Manufacturing Operative, Space Technician, Engineering Technician, Automation and Controls, and more. Their courses target various academic backgrounds starting at GSCE level.
The facility was funded in part by UKAEA, in line with their goal of developing the talented, diverse young people needed to deliver fusion energy.
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