Applied Physicist - High Luminosity collective effects (BE-ABP-CEI-2024-87-GRAP)

Your responsibilities

You will be part of :

• The Beams department, responsible for the beam generation, acceleration, diagnostics, controls and performance optimization 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 optimize 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). To reach this goal, a careful assessment and control of potential detrimental effects on the beam is necessary. Among these, two collective effects limit the current LHC and hence the baseline parameters of HL-LHC: impedance and e-cloud effects.

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

In this position, you will: 

• Assess limitations and identify mitigations for both effects (impedance and e-cloud effects) in view of the HL-LHC beam parameters;
• Improve the current forecasting model and assessment tool for the impedance effect and mitigating strategies; 
• Perform test at the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) to improve our knowledge of the impact of crab cavities; 
• Validate and refine 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 (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.
• You 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.

Job closing date: 23.06.2024 23:59h (midnight) CEST.

Job reference: BE-ABP-CEI-2024-87-GRAP

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

Target start date: 01-November-2024

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6212 and 6828 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.