Mapping and mitigating the imperfection spin resonances at the EIC's rapid cycling synchrotron

About the project

About the Project This project sits at the intersection of particle physics, accelerator science and computational modelling, and would be of interest to anyone wanting to use computer simulations to understand the behaviour of fundamental particles and to contribute to the design of the machines we use to probe the nature of matter. The Electron-Ion Collider will be the next large-scale high energy physics collider built, and presents novel challenges to achieve its goals of probing the nature of hadronic matter at the smallest length scales. This PhD is focused on studying spin resonances for the Electron Ion Collider Rapid Cycling Synchrotron (EIC RCS). A key feature for the EIC is the ability to collide polarised bunches to enable us to study phenomena, such as CP violation. However, as bunches are accelerated and deflected, the magnetic fields used to steer and focus the beams can depolarise the spins of the particles. To maintain a polarised beam, we need to study the spin of the particles in a bunch as they proceed around the machine, and to study the spin resonances which can impact the beam. The successful PhD student will learn to use simulation software, such as BMAD and PTC, to develop a simulation framework for the EIC RCS, and establish a model of the beam line, as well as the effects of ramping up the beam energy; which will cause the bunches to pass through spin resonances. In order to gain a proper understanding of depolarisation effects, a detailed simulation of the machine will need to be developed that should include statistical models of magnet errors as well as the nominal (design) fields. During the first year the student will have mapped the RCS spin resonances excited during the ramp to 18GeV, with resonance strengths extracted from BMAD spin-tracking. The second year will focus on developing lattices optimised to minimise beam offsets due to magnet errors and misalignments and repeated the spin studies to analyse the interdependence between orbit optimisation and spin resonances. While the third year will focus on mitigating depolarisation during the ramp by implementing corrector models to minimise the strongest resonances." If you are interested in this post, please contact Dr Rob Apsimon ( r.apsimon@lancaster.ac.uk ) in the first instance. The studentship is funded, but will only cover UK fees, overseas students will need to have access to additional funds to cover the overseas fees in order to be eligible to apply. A minimum of 2:1 (or equivalent) on your first degree is a requirement of eligibility for this post. Contact for further information: Dr. Rob Apsimon r.apsimon@lancaster.ac.uk How to apply: Apply at the Cockcroft Institute PhD webpage . For full consideration for funded awards, please apply by Jan 31st 2026. Anticipated Start Date: October 2026

Research areas