Your responsibilities

The Radio Frequency Group (RF) within CERNs Accelerator Systems Department (SY) is looking for someone to join a small team in the Superconducting Radio Frequency Cavity Technology section (SRF) to develop and implement a Radio Frequency Cavity. 

This is a challenging multi-disciplinary project that will enable you to take an active role in defining and validating of a novel Radio Frequency cavity tuning application with significant implications to operations in accelerator systems.
Over the course of project, you will be at the forefront of development of a novel new frequency-tuning application for Superconducting Radio Frequency cavities, and will make contributions to the multi-physics design, manufacture and performance evaluation of the prototype device.

The position offers a broad multidisciplinary environment focused on a small-team development of an accelerator system component, and significant possibilities for professional growth over a broad experience base.

In this role, you will: 

• Directly contribute to the Radio Frequency design;
• Make detailed multi-physics simulations and evaluations of the tuner focusing on Radio Frequency performance, thermal load, and power handling capabilities; 
• Work closely with the mechanical design office and CERN's main workshop during the fabrication of the tuning unit prototype, with a focus on the integration of the tuning system into an existing prototype LHC cryomodule with fully equipped 400 MHz SRF cavity.

While the project progresses, you will: 

• Be actively involved in the commissioning of the unit in the CERN Superconducting Radio Frequency test facility;
• Take a key role in the performance evaluation of the non-mechanical tuning demonstrator.

Your profile

Skills and/or knowledge

• Knowledge of Radio Frequency or microwave engineering;
• Experience with multi-physics simulations;
• Experience in design and construction of experimental setups;
• Experience in software development with Python;
• Good communication skills;
• 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 RF engineering, superconducting RF (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: 28.08.2023 at 12:00 AM (midnight) CET.

Job reference: SY-RF-SRF-2023-40-GRAP

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

Target start date: 01-November-2023

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.

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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.