PhD Scholarship: High-current superconducting rectifiers for cutting-edge energy systems

About the Project

Background

High temperature superconductor (HTS) magnets enable magnetic fields far beyond the limits of conventional technologies, unlocking transformative applications in fusion energy, advanced propulsion, and high-efficiency electric machines. A critical bottleneck, however, is the efficient delivery of ultra-high DC currents required to fully realise these systems.

The Paihau-Robinson Research Institute (PRRI) is a world-leading centre for superconducting technologies, spanning materials development through to real-world deployment. This PhD project focuses on developing superconducting rectifiers (flux pumps)—a key enabling technology capable of delivering persistent high currents directly within cryogenic environments. While flux pumps delivering currents below 1 kA are well established, no system has yet demonstrated stable operation above 5 kA—a critical threshold for large-scale applications.

About the Project

This PhD project will address this challenge by exploring transistor-based superconducting rectifiers, a promising and scalable approach that remains underdeveloped. However, many challenges remain including:

• Ultra-low resistance superconducting joints and interconnects
• Advanced control strategies for high-current operation
• AC loss characterisation and mitigation
• Scalable architectures and parallelisation techniques
• Thermal management in conduction-cooled cryogenic systems

Therefore, the primary goal of this PhD is to: Develop and experimentally demonstrate a conduction-cooled, transistor-based superconducting flux pump capable of delivering sustained currents above 5 kA.

This will be achieved by building on PRRI’s existing flux pump platforms, which have been validated in liquid cryogenic environments, and transitioning them to conduction-cooled systems suitable for real-world applications.

Key Activities

This PhD project is inherently multidisciplinary, combining theoretical modelling, system design, and experimental validation. You will:

1. Develop design concepts using: COMSOL Multiphysics (finite element modelling); Simulink-based multidomain system models.
2. Construct and test experimental prototypes using PRRI’s infrastructure
3. Perform detailed measurements to validate models and identify scaling limits
4. Iterate designs to improve performance and scalability

Experimental validation will be central throughout the project, ensuring practical relevance and real-world impact. Based at PRRI, you will work alongside experts in superconductivity and applied systems engineering. Co-supervision is provided by Associate Professor Duleepa Thrimawithana (University of Auckland), a world-leading specialist in cryogenic power electronics.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a degree equivalent to the 4-year Physics or Engineering (Honours) degree in New Zealand, with 1st class Honours, or an MSc or postgraduate Diploma with high grades. We are seeking a highly motivated person with an excellent academic record, a good understanding of applied physics and able to work well in a team. Candidates should satisfy the requirements for admission as a PhD candidate at Victoria University and applicants should ensure that they can satisfy the English language requirements.

How to apply

Please send an email to Dr Dominic Moseley (dominic.moseley@vuw.ac.nz) and Associate Professor Duleepa Thrimawithana (d.thrimawithana@auckland.ac.nz) with “PhD scholarship in transistor-based superconducting rectifiers” in the subject line. Please include the following information:

1. A full curriculum vitae, including your university transcripts
2. A statement indicating why you are interested in this project
3. Evidence of your English language ability, e.g. TOFEL or IELTS
4. Your expected starting date

Funding Notes

This PhD project is part of a newly funded New Zealand Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) research programme on ‘Future Magnetic & Materials Technologies Platform’.

The successful PhD applicant (NZ or abroad) will receive a stipend of $35,000 per annum for 3 years, as well as payment of all university tuition fees.