Profile
Alex Bainbridge
Looking forward to the chats, but unfortunately unable to take bookings for 21/22/23 or 29 march
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About Me:
I am a physicist who builds particle accelerators at Daresbury Laboratory in Warrington. Outside work I enjoy reading geeky books, video games, and fencing.
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I am originally from Berkshire but now live in Cheshire. I studied an integrated masters degree in physics at Swansea University, and stayed to do a PhD in experimental physics. At Uni I joined the Fencing club and learned to fight with the epee and sabre, and did a season on the university team. I also spend a lot of time in Northern Ireland, where half my family is from.
In 2015, coming up to the end of my PhD, I got offered my current job with Daresbury Laboratory as a physicist mostly working on magnets for particle accelerators. I’ve been here ever since!
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My pronouns are:
He/Him
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My Work:
I’m a specialist in all things to do with magnets! I design, build and measure new and unusual magnets for particle accelerators.
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I work for Accelerator Science and Technology Centre, part of STFC Daresbury Laboratory as a senior physicist and specialist in accelerator magnets.
I work on a large number of projects including CLARA (Compact Linear Accelerator for Research Applications), our own accelerator at Daresbury, as well as the European Spallation Source and the Compact Linear Collider. I also have a leading role in a project called RUEDI, which aims to use electron beams to image things on the atomic scale with “shutter speeds” of a millionth of a billionth of a second!
One of my big projects is the ZEPTO (Zero Power Tuneable Optics) project, a new way of using permanent magnets in accelerators to make them more energy efficient.
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My Typical Day:
There’s a lot of day-to-day variety in my job. Sometimes I’m doing simulations, other days I’m doing measurements, sometimes I’m even at conferences abroad!
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I’d design and make a portable 3D printed model that explains how a particle accelerator works and what they are for, that could be taken to schools.
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Education:
I did my GCSE’s and A-Levels at John O’Gaunt school in Berkshire. I then went to Swansea University to study an MPhys (4 year integrated masters degree) in physics and then stayed to do a PhD, finishing in 2015.
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Qualifications:
I passed 11 GCSE’s (4A*, 1A, 6B) in various subjects including triple science, then did A levels in physics (A), chemistry (B), maths (B) as well as an AS level in psychology (A).
I then went to uni and got MPhys degree in Physics, passing with 1st class honours. I then did a 4 year PhD in experimental physics and wrote my thesis on time-resolved electron diffraction.
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Work History:
During my A-levels I did evening shifts down my local Co-op. At uni (and afterwards) I did private tutoring in maths and science, as well as teaching undergraduate labs whilst doing my PhD. In 2015 I started working in accelerator science at Daresbury Laboratory and am still there!
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Current Job:
Senior Physicist (Magnetics and Radiation Sources group)
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Employer:
STFC Daresbury Laboratory
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Mad Magnet Man
What did you want to be after you left school?
A scientist!
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Once or twice ;)
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Volcanologist
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Pink Floyd
What's your favourite food?
Sushi
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Unlimited coffee, a trip to space, and the chance to drive an F1 car
Tell us a joke.
What do nuclear scientists do on holiday? They go Fission!
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