Support structures (100) for attaching superconducting conductors (106) to a rotor (50) of an electrical machine (10). The support structures (100) are mechanically configured to transfer loads exerted on the superconducting conductors (106) during both normal and transient operation of the rotor (50). The mechanical configuration and material of the support structures (100) further present a thermal path that is longer than the physical distance between the superconducting conductors (106) and the rotor (50) thereby minimizing heat flow from the warm rotor (50) to the cold superconducting conductors (106).