STFC Provides Boost for UK’s nuclear physics research
19 Sep 2014 04:32 PM
The UK’s nuclear physics research capability will be strengthened significantly with the establishment of a new nuclear physics theory group at the University of York thanks to support from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
A special funding award from the STFC will pave the way for the appointment of a nuclear physics theory chair and PhD studentship, while in addition York will fund a nuclear physics theory lectureship.
The move is driven by a strategic need for theory and modelling support to the UK’s national experimental programme which was identified in a 2012 Institute of Physics report.
Professor John Womersley, Chief Executive of STFC, welcomed the announcement: “This initiative was identified as a priority, both in community consultation and by our advisory panels, which has led to STFC providing this additional funding to strengthen the UK programme in nuclear physics theory. This new collaboration between STFC and the University of York reinforces our commitment to help keep the UK at the forefront of nuclear physics research.”
Professor Bob Wadsworth, from York’s Department of Physics, said: “The fact that there are only a handful of UK academics working on nuclear physics theory has been highlighted as a serious issue for the status of nuclear physics research in the UK.
“At the moment, experimental nuclear physicists working in the UK frequently need to seek support from theorists in Europe, Japan or the United States. Having more theorists in the UK will be invaluable to the UK nuclear physics community.”
Nuclear Physics is the study of the heavy but tiny nucleus that lies at the centre of all atoms and makes up 99.9 per cent by mass of everything we see. Experimental nuclear physicists at York are studying the fundamental properties of atomic nuclei, the origin of elements in the cosmos and applications of nuclear technology.
The new theory group will complement the work of York’s experimental groups and will work closely with theory groups at Manchester and Surrey Universities, as well as other groups across Europe and beyond.
The new chair is expected to be in place by March 2015, the lecturer by June 2015 and the studentship will begin in October 2015. STFC will fund the chair position for approximately three and a half years, after which time York will take on the funding of the post.
View the University of York’s full press release.
ENDS
Notes to editors
- • STFC is the UK sponsor of nuclear physics research and it’s Nuclear Physics Group supports and contributes to the UK’s Nuclear Structure research programme.
- More information on the University of York’s Department of Physics.
Contact:
Wendy Ellison
STFC Press Office
Tel: 01925 603232
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