Your responsibilities

You will join:

- The Accelerator Systems Department (SY), which is responsible for the beam-related technical systems of the CERN accelerators. The SY teams design, build and operate equipment systems in all CERN accelerators, and are engaged in ambitious forward-looking R&D programmes.

- The Sources, Targets and Interactions group (STI) that has the mandate to study the interactions of beam with matter, aiming to apply its know-how to particle generation (ISOLDE ion sources and targets, Fixed targets for experimental areas, CLIC photoinjectors, AWAKE plasma and electron sources), and to particle interception (collimators, absorbers and dumps). The skills involved and available in the group include Nuclear Physics and Engineering, Mechanical engineering, Material Science, Control systems and Electronic design, Photonics and Laser spectroscopy.

- The Lasers and Photocathodes (LP) section that is in charge of laser-based particle sources, in particular the RILIS (Resonance Ionization Laser Ion Source) of the ISOLDE radioactive ion beam laboratory and the photoinjectors of the CLIC test facility. The section also contributes to the construction and operation of laser installation and laser beams for the AWAKE experiment at SPS.

In this position, you will: 
- apply your skills in photonics and optics for production of ion beams using the laser resonance ionization method; 
- conduct research and development for improving the performance and reliability of the laser setup; 
- focus on the task of consolidating the recent advances in the RILIS technique at ISOLDE, from both the ion source and laser perspective. This will include the integration and performance evaluation of the next generation of RILIS pump lasers;
- conduct investigations to find the optimal parameters of these lasers for each individual application;
- re-optimize the laser layout for optimal use of space and ease of setup to integrate these novel lasers within the RILIS laboratory;
-  ensure that the capabilities of the High-resolution hot-cavity RILIS and PI-LIST in terms of providing isomeric and/or isotopic ion beams are further evaluated through campaigns of dedicated atomic and molecular spectroscopy studies. 

Your profile

Skills and/or knowledge

• Knowledge of Photonics and optics, Atomic physics, Resonance laser ionization and spectroscopy, Ion sources and related applications;
• Experience in Production of radioisotopes;
• Experience with LabView is a plus.
• Fluent in English, the ability to work in French would be an advantage.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Applied Physics (or a related field) and have either:
  • a Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience;
  • or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience.
• You have never had a fellow or graduate contract before.

Job closing date: 22.08.2023 at 12:00 AM (midnight) CET.

Job reference: SY-STI-LP-2023-90-GRAP

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Target start date: 01-October-2023

This position requires:

• Participation in a regular stand-by duty, including nights, Sundays and official holidays.
• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6194 and 6808 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
• Coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Depending on your individual circumstances: installation grant; family, child and infant allowances; payment of travel expenses at the beginning and end of contract.
• 30 days of paid leave per year.
• On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.

About us

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on http://home.cern.

We are on a Quest. A Journey into discovery like no other. Bring your expertise to our unique work and develop your knowledge and skills at pace. Join world-class subject matter experts on unique projects, in a Quest for greater knowledge and deeper understanding.

Begin your CERN Quest. Take Part!

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success.