We welcome inquiries from motivated students who are interested in accelerator physics, beam dynamics, beam manipulation, advanced accelerator concepts, and accelerator diagnostics.
Our group works on experimental, computational, and analytical studies of high-brightness charged-particle beams. For an overview of our research directions, please see the Research page. For general information about the group, current funding, and broader lab context, please see the About page.
Prospective PhD students interested in joining the group are encouraged to contact Prof. Ha directly (gha@niu.edu).
Because research opportunities depend on funding availability, project status, and student background, openings are not listed or updated continuously on this page. Interested students should send a concise email describing their academic background, research interests, and relevant experience.
MS student opportunities are primarily available through the Chicagoland Accelerator Science Traineeship (CAST) program.
Students interested in MS-level accelerator research should first review the CAST program and contact Prof. Ha if their interests align with the group’s research areas.
Undergraduate students interested in research experience are welcome to contact Prof. Ha directly (gha@niu.edu).
Available projects depend on the student’s preparation, available supervision, and current experimental or computational needs. Students with interest in accelerator physics, electromagnetism, scientific computing, electronics, or experimental physics are especially encouraged to reach out.
Students do not need to have prior accelerator physics experience before joining the group. However, the following background is helpful:
- Strong understanding of classical mechanics and electromagnetism
- Programming experience, especially Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar scientific computing tools
- Interest in experimental physics and hands-on laboratory work
- Familiarity with data analysis, numerical simulation, or signal processing
- Basic electronics knowledge, including circuits, oscilloscopes, function generators, cables, triggers, and data acquisition
- Careful documentation habits and willingness to work with complex experimental systems
Accelerator research often combines theory, simulation, instrumentation, and experimental operation. Students who enjoy connecting physical concepts with real hardware and data are a good fit for this work.
General Opportunities in Accelerator Science
Students interested in accelerator science are encouraged to explore external training, internship, fellowship, and school opportunities. These opportunities are maintained by the relevant programs, so students should check the official pages directly for current deadlines and eligibility requirements.
A useful starting point is the U.S. Particle Accelerator School (USPAS) Opportunities page, which collects information on DOE traineeships, internships, fellowships, job openings, other accelerator schools, and university graduate programs:
Students may also consider attending USPAS courses. USPAS provides graduate-level training in accelerator science and technology, with sessions typically held twice per year. Course prerequisites often include classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and special relativity at the upper-undergraduate level, though specific requirements depend on the course.
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