Graduate Studies: Accelerator Science and Engineering Traineeship
Gain hands-on research experience while completing your thesis
The FRIB Accelerator Science and Engineering Traineeship (ASET) at Michigan State University offers graduate students a world-class education and specialized instruction. The ASET program helps students advance their graduate studies through placements in national laboratories operated by contractors for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
Graduate students in the ASET program make real advancements through research projects and a variety of professional development opportunities. The advanced knowledge and skills gained in this program prepare students to be a next-generation innovator in:
- Physics and engineering of large accelerators
- Superconducting radio frequency technology
- Radio frequency power engineering
- Large-scale cryogenic systems
The graduate studies in the ASET program prepare students for a successful career in a supportive environment alongside world-leading scientists. They gain hands-on experience with some of the newest and most technologically advanced devices and systems. And they build a network of collaborators and contacts at FRIB and DOE national labs. The program is designed to help students unlock their full potential and achieve excellence.
Extend your graduate studies at a national lab
After completing graduate coursework at Michigan State University, students are stationed at U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories to pursue their research and further their training. An extensive and flexible framework of national laboratory training partners includes Argonne National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, and Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility.
The partnerships with DOE national laboratories will also include internships, practicums, focused long- or short-term credit-bearing courses, and workshops related to professional development of non-scientific skills (project management, entrepreneurial skills, science communication, technology transfer) required for large accelerator design, construction, and operation. The partnerships will integrate ASET students into their research program beyond the third year and support them until they complete their thesis.
Graduate studies opportunities
Graduate assistantships in FRIB’s ASET program are available to qualified U.S. graduate students who wish to carry out their thesis research at FRIB. The ASET program provides master’s and PhD level candidates an opportunity to conduct work within a research group on a specific project for the purpose of supporting the student’s thesis work. The university sets academic standards and awards the degree in the specific academic program of study, while FRIB supports students through their graduate studies and research.
Graduate fellowships are also available to qualified U.S. graduate students at Michigan State University who wish to carry out their thesis research at FRIB. Support for several kinds of graduate fellowships in ASET is provided by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC) Office of High Energy Physics, and the DOE-SC Office of Nuclear Physics.
How do I start my graduate studies in the ASET program at FRIB?
FRIB’s ASET program is open to actively registered graduate students pursuing a PhD or master's degree at Michigan State University in the Department of Physics and Astronomy or the College of Engineering.
Ready to apply or have questions? More information is available on our FRIB graduate studies page or contact us at gradschool@frib.msu.edu.
