Ultrafast laser physicist (SY-STI-LP-2024-128-GRAP)

Your responsibilities

A QUEST fellow with proven experience in ultra-fast lasers is required to support a growing number of laser activities related to electron beam generation at the CLEAR and AWAKE facilities.

On one hand, the CERN Linear Electron Accelerator for Research (CLEAR) is an electron test facility aimed at developing instruments and components for existing and future accelerators, testing novel concepts as plasma and THz acceleration, investigating medical applications of electron beams including dosimetry and FLASH radiotherapy, studying radiation hardness of electronics for aerospace and high energy applications and training the next generations of accelerator physicists.

On the other hand, the Advanced Proton Driven Plasma Wakefield Acceleration Experiment (AWAKE) is an accelerator R&D project based at CERN. It investigates the use of plasma wakefields driven by a proton bunch to accelerate electrons.

This exciting opportunity is at the intersection of ultrafast lasers / nonlinear optics, electron source development, and plasma wakefield acceleration techniques, with a view on advancing accelerator technology for many applications inside and outside CERN.

You will:

• Carry out the experimental work related to electron beam production and acceleration using lasers and plasmas.
• Supporting the design and integration of photoinjectors and associated laser systems;
• Investigate laser-field effects on the electron emission from semiconductor and plasmonic photocathodes for the precise spatio-temporal tailoring of electron bunches;

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 and to particle interception. 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 section (LP) that is in charge of laser-based particle sources, in particular the Photoemission laboratory and the photoinjectors of the Compact Linear Collider CLIC test facility (CLEAR and CTF2).

The section also contributes to the construction and operation of laser installation and laser beams for the AWAKE experiment at SPS and the RILIS installation (Resonance Ionization Laser Ion Source) of the ISOLDE radioactive ion beam laboratory.

Your profile

Skills and/or knowledge

• Experience with ultrafast lasers, non-linear optics, optical field manipulation and detection;
• Knowledge of Laser-matter interactions, photoemissive processes, plasmonics/nanophotonics, electron beam manipulation and monitoring;
• Knowledge of particle tracing modelling, optical design;
• Fluent in English, the ability to work in French would be an advantage.
• 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 CERN fellow or graduate contract before.

Job closing date: 2nd August 2024 at 23:59 AM (midnight) CET.

Job reference: SY-STI-LP-2024-128-GRAP

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

Target start date: 01-September-2024

This position requires:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.

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.