Applied Physicist - Penning Trap (BE-ABP-PEC-2026-38-GRAP)

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.

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.

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