Company Description

Job Description

You will contribute to improving the performance of a Penning trap used in the HIE-ISOLDE post-accelerator to accumulate, cool and bunch high-intensity radioactive ion beams prior to charge breeding and acceleration. The work includes mechanical design and modification of internal trap components, production follow-up and quality assurance, as well as assembly and functional testing. You will also perform simulations of non-neutral plasmas and participate in experimental studies with Paul traps. Working within a small, collaborative team, you will apply and expand expertise in ion-trapping physics through both theoretical and hands-on activities.

Your responsibilities

  • Be in charge of producing a complete spare of the internal drift-tube structure of a Penning trap.
  • Investigate and identify the reason for the occasional discharges occurring inside the Penning trap and thereafter suggest and implement mitigating actions.
  • Suggest modifications to the injection stage in order to increase the general transmission efficiency from a present value of ~50% up to >80%.
  • Implement models of a Penning trap and Electron Beam Ion Source in the particle tracking program RF-Track and perform space-charge investigations.
  • Follow the acceptance test of an externally purchased superconducting solenoid that should act as spare, with focus on the magnetic field measurements and the operational aspects of the new magnet.
  • Participate in cooling and bunching tests of light ions inside an RFQ cooler-buncher of Paul trap type.

More information here.

Your profile

  • Profound experience from operation of Penning traps and hardware intervention of such.
  • Previous work with CAD programs.
  • Experience from Particle-In-Cell simulation programs or similar for charged particles.
  • Familiarity of high-voltage installations.
  • Knowledge of RFQ cooler-bunchers / Paul traps.

Skills

  • In-depth understanding of Penning traps and non-neutral plasmas.
  • Knowhow about mechanical design and BricsCAD, CATIA or similar design programs.
  • Proficiency in Python.
  • CST particle tracking, RF-track or similar charged particle simulation packages.
  • Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of the other language.

Eligibility criteria:

  • You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
  • You have a professional background in Physics (applied, experimental or accelerator (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.

Qualifications

Additional Information

Job closing date: 29.03.2026 at 23:59 CET.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Hybrid

Target start date: 01-May-2026

This position involves:

  • Work in Radiation Areas.
  • Exposure to electromagnetic fields under certain exposure conditions.

Given the occupational health risks associated with this position, the selected candidate must obtain medical clearance before a contract offer is confirmed.

Job reference: BE-ABP-PEC-2026-38-GRAP

Field of work: Applied Physics

Benchmark job: 200140 - Applied Physicist

Global Benefits

  • A monthly stipend between 6372-7004 Swiss Francs per month (tax free) depending on your degree.
  • 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
  • Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
  • Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances.
  • A relocation package (installation grant and travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
  • Possibility to extend your contract up to 36 months.
  • On-the-job and formal training including language classes.

Overview of CERN - Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, we are pushing the frontiers of science and technology. Our groundbreaking work brings together not only physicists but also a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative fields. Together, we foster an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.

If you are ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive community pushing the boundaries of knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive. Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe! TAKE PART!

More information about us, here: careers.cern

At Impactpool we do our best to provide you the most accurate info, but closing dates may be wrong on our site. Please check on the recruiting organization's page for the exact info. Candidates are responsible for complying with deadlines and are encouraged to submit applications well ahead.
Before applying, please make sure that you have read the requirements for the position and that you qualify. Applications from non-qualifying applicants will most likely be discarded by the recruiting manager.