The focus of research in the Huddersfield Ion Beam Centre is the use of energetic particles for a variety of purposes including RF generation, medical applications, studies of semiconductor materials, simulation of radiation damage in nuclear materials and the generation of nuclear power (accelerator driven subcritical reactors). Although the particles of primary interest are energetic ions of various types, research in the Centre also involves the use of electrons and neutrons. Activities within the Centre also include the development of new and innovative artificial electromagnetic media and accelerator technologies.

The Ion Beam Centre is home to two unique UK facilities, MIAMI (Microscopes and Ion Accelerators for Materials Investigations) and MEIS (Medium Energy Ion Scattering). The Centre is part of the UK National Ion Beam Centre and is made up of two groups, the Accelerator group and the Electron Microscopy and Materials Analysis (EMMA) group.