The 22nd National School on Neutron and X-Ray Scattering will begin on June 13-27, 2020.
Purpose: The main purpose of the National School on Neutron and X-ray Scattering is to educate graduate students on the utilization of major neutron and x-ray facilities. Lectures, presented by researchers from academia, industry, and national laboratories, will include basic tutorials on the principles of scattering theory and the characteristics of the sources, as well as seminars on the application of scattering methods to a variety of scientific subjects. Students will conduct short experiments at Argonne's Advanced Photon Source and Oak Ridge's Spallation Neutron Source and High Flux Isotope Reactor facilities to obtain hands-on experience for using neutron and synchrotron sources.
Target Audience: The school accepts 60 applicants each year, targeting:
- Graduate students attending North American (includes Canadian and Mexican) universities.
- Those using experimental physical analysis techniques in their research (typically getting a degree in physics, chemistry, materials science, geosciences, engineering, or related fields.)
Most commonly, priority is given to students who:
- Are expected to use multiple neutron or x-ray experimental techniques in their graduate research (ideally both x-rays and neutrons).
- Already started their graduate research and will utilize neutron and x-ray techniques to complete it (typically students in their 2nd or 3rd year of graduate work).
- Typically only one student per department is accepted. Almost never more than one student from a single research group.
- Students from universities in states that are underrepresented in federal research funding are encouraged to apply.
Application Process: The NX School is highly competitive and usually oversubscribed. To apply as student to the school:
- Read the application instructions.
- Talk with your thesis advisor about the application.
- Make sure at least three referrers, one being your thesis advisor, complete the Evaluation Form
