Applied Physicist - High Luminosity collective effects

About us

At CERN, the European Organisation 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. 

Job description

You will be part of:

• The Beams department, responsible for the beam generation, acceleration, diagnostics, controls and performance optimisation for the LHC and its injector accelerators.
• The Accelerator and Beam Physics Group, which is responsible for studying and understanding the beam dynamics over the complete CERN Accelerator Complex through theoretical, simulation and experimental studies. The group provides input and support for machine operations, devising settings and scenarios to optimise the machine performance. It is also responsible for working out concepts and ideas for future accelerators.

As an Applied Physicist, you will contribute to the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) project. This project aims at an order of magnitude increase of the integrated luminosity of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). 

Currently, two collective effects limit the baseline parameter. To reach our goals, these effects have to asses and mitigated.

The position involve both software development skills and theoretical beam physics knowledge. Presentations and publications will be strongly encouraged. 

As an Applied Physicist, you will:

• Assess limitations and identify mitigations for both effects (impedance and e-cloud effects) in view of the HL-LHC beam parameters;
• Improving the current forecasting model and assessment tool for the impedance effect and mitigating strategies; 
• Performing test at the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) to improve our knowledge of the impact of crab cavities; 
• Validating and refining the modelling of the e-cloud effects; 
• Execute measurements in the LHC to ensure reliable predictions;
• Perform multibunch simulations using the state-of-the-art codes such as XSuite, PyHEADTAIL, PyECLOUD and DELPHI/e-DELPHI;
• Improve code when needed e.g. on the Vlasov solvers' side to allow the simulation of complex filling schemes for the bunch train. 

Your profile

Skills and/or Knowledge:

• Knowledge of Accelerator and beam physics;
• Knowledge of collective effects (e.g. impedance and/or electron cloud effects); 
• Knowledge of electromagnetism and electrodynamics;
• Experience developing software development (ideally in Python);
• Experience with measurements (bench and/or beam-based); 
• Experience in scientific writing;
• Problem solving skills;
• 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. A limited number of positions are also available to candidates from Non-Member States. 
• YYou have a professional background in Accelerator and beam 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 CERN fellow or graduate contract before.

This position requires:

• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organisation.

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6,212 and 6,828 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.

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