This month our short interview features Peter Jones from the Australian Synchrotron’s accelerator operations team.

 Describe your job in 25 words or less?
Accelerator operators endeavour to keep electrons in the storage ring 24/7 during user runs, so the scientists, users and facility can achieve successful experimental outcomes.

Best thing about your job?
I learn something new and interesting about the synchrotron and its operation every shift, due to the large variety of tasks, functions and interactions we perform.

Worst thing about your job?
Sometimes it’s hard to follow up things in a timely manner with other synchrotron staff as we work blocks of day and night shifts in a 24/7 shift environment. (Alternative answer: Not having a kitchen in the control room.)

Biggest challenge facing your team?
The physicists and operators are upgrading the synchrotron to run in top-up mode, so that 200mA of beam can be maintained in the storage ring on a 24/7 basis. Currently we refill the storage ring with electrons twice a day at 8 o’clock. As operators, we perform weekly top-up runs and testing during machine studies.

Apart from the Australian Synchrotron, what's the coolest job you've ever had?
I worked as an electrician building nuclear submarines and warships.

Best things about living in Melbourne and why?
Living down the Mornington Peninsula, my family and I have easy access to the surf beaches. (Alternative answer: It has similar weather to my home town Barrow-in-Furness in the north west of England, hot one minute and wet the next, so it makes me feel at home.)

Your favourite overseas destination and why?
I always enjoy going to the Spanish islands of Majorca, Ibiza and Teneriffe for the warm weather and good fun. (Alternative answer: Blackpool because of the donkey rides, deckchairs and hanky chiefs on your head, what more could you want.)

A little-known fact about the Australian Synchrotron?
The control room is being upgraded with new PCs, monitors and furniture.

What’s the funniest question you’ve ever been asked about your work at the synchrotron?
On open day last year, a member of the public asked me a question about the dipole (bending) magnets. After I answered his question, he went on to say how impressed but disappointed he was with my response, as he had been researching the answer prior to his visit and was pretty sure he would catch me out. Little did he know I had only been here for a couple of months and really did not have that good an understanding myself. What more can you say, another happy and satisfied member of the public.