Beamline technician for ID15A and ID15B

ESRF - The European Synchrotron; Grenoble; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

ESRF, The European Synchrotron, based in Grenoble, France, seeks a Beamline Technician to operate, maintain, develop and optimise ID15A and ID15B beamlines. You will work with scientists, engineers, software developers and visiting researchers to enhance performance and reliability of high-energy X-ray facilities.

The role involves preventive and corrective maintenance, installation and testing of new equipment, and close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to ensure safe, efficient

Qualifications

• Technical qualification (Bachelor’s degree, DUT, BTS, or equivalent) in mechanical engineering, instrumentation, mechatronics, physical measurements, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of about 5 years of relevant hands‑on experience in precision mechanics, instrumentation, vacuum systems, motion control or scientific equipment maintenance.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve technical and mechanical problems efficiently in a research environment.
• Experience with CAD, machining, control systems, or laboratory instrumentation is advantageous.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and international teams.
• Proficiency in English, the working language of the ESRF; knowledge of French is an asset.
• Strong organisational skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to technical problem-solving

Responsibilities

• Carrying out preventive and corrective maintenance of beamline equipment.
• Diagnosing and repairing technical and mechanical faults.
• Installing, aligning, testing and commissioning new equipment.
• Participating in the design, fabrication, use and improvement of experimental setups.
• Providing technical and mechanical support to users during experiments.
• Planning maintenance activities and monitoring equipment status and performance.
• Coordinating interventions by external suppliers and contractors.
• Working closely with scientists and ESRF support groups, including mechanics, electronics, vacuum, controls, computing, safety and engineering.
• Ensuring compliance with ESRF safety procedures and promoting a safe working environment.
• Managing technical documentation, equipment inventories and maintenance records.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement, reliability and performance of the beamlines.

Skills

Precision mechanics

Instrumentation

Vacuum systems

Motion control

Scientific equipment maintenance

CAD

Machining

Control systems

Laboratory instrumentation

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

CAD software

Job description

Context & Job Description

As a Beamline Technician, you will be responsible for the technical operation, maintenance, development and optimisation of the ID15A and ID15B beamlines at the ESRF, working closely with scientists, engineers, software developers and visiting researchers.

As a Beamline Technician, you will be responsible for the technical operation, maintenance, development and optimisation of the ID15A and ID15B beamlines at the ESRF, working closely with scientists, engineers, software developers and visiting researchers.

You Will Work In The Following Environment

ID15A – High‑Energy X-rays (20–280 keV)

• High‑energy X‑ray characterisation of materials in situ, operando and time‑resolved.
• Main techniques: high‑energy X‑ray diffraction, total scattering/PDF, tomography, imaging and X‑ray fluorescence.
• Applications: batteries, catalysis, nanomaterials, glasses, engineering materials, environmental sciences, cultural heritage and energy‑related materials.
• A wide range of experimental and sample environments.

ID15B – Materials under Extreme Conditions

• Monochromatic angle‑dispersive X‑ray diffraction at high pressure using diamond anvil cells (DACs).
• Highly focused 30 keV X‑ray beam and pressures reaching and exceeding the megabar range.
• Applications: Earth and planetary sciences, physics, chemistry, mineral physics, materials science and biology.
• Equipment includes DACs, pressure control systems, cryogenic systems, resistive and laser heating, Raman spectroscopy and ruby fluorescence.
• A major refurbishment programme is planned to further develop the beamline's capabilities.

Your Main Responsibilities Will Include

• Carrying out preventive and corrective maintenance of beamline equipment.
• Diagnosing and repairing technical and mechanical faults.
• Installing, aligning, testing and commissioning new equipment.
• Participating in the design, fabrication, use and improvement of experimental setups.
• Providing technical and mechanical support to users during experiments.
• Planning maintenance activities and monitoring equipment status and performance.
• Coordinating interventions by external suppliers and contractors.
• Working closely with scientists and ESRF support groups, including mechanics, electronics, vacuum, controls, computing, safety and engineering.
• Ensuring compliance with ESRF safety procedures and promoting a safe working environment.
• Managing technical documentation, equipment inventories and maintenance records.
• Contributing to the continuous improvement, reliability and performance of the beamlines.

Expected profile

• Technical qualification (Bachelor’s degree, DUT, BTS, or equivalent) in mechanical engineering, instrumentation, mechatronics, physical measurements, or a related discipline.
• A minimum of about 5 years of relevant hands‑on experience in precision mechanics, instrumentation, vacuum systems, motion control or scientific equipment maintenance.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve technical and mechanical problems efficiently in a research environment.
• Experience with CAD, machining, control systems, or laboratory instrumentation is advantageous.
• Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary and international teams.
• Proficiency in English, the working language of the ESRF; knowledge of French is an asset.
• Strong organisational skills, adaptability, and a proactive approach to technical problem-solving

Working conditions

Permanent contract.

The salary will be calculated on the basis of relevant qualifications and professional experience.

What Makes The ESRF Experience Unique…

Join an innovative international research institute, with a workforce from 38 different countries

Collaborate with global experts to advance science and address societal challenges

Come and live in a vibrant city, in the heart of the Alps, and Europe's Green Capital 2022

Enjoy a workplace designed to support your quality of life

• Benefit from our competitive compensation and allowances package, including financial support for your relocation to Grenoble

For further information on employment terms and conditions, please refer to "What we offer" section of our Careers page https://www.esrf.fr/Jobs

The ESRF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from disabled persons.

Supported by 19 countries, the ESRF is an equal opportunity employer and encourages diversity.

Company Description

The European Synchrotron, the ESRF, is an international research centre based in Grenoble, France.

Through its innovative engineering, pioneering scientific vision and a strong commitment from its 700 staff members, the ESRF is recognised as one of the top research facilities worldwide. Its particle accelerator produces intense X-ray beams that are used by thousands of scientists each year for experiments in diverse fields such as biology, medicine, environmental sciences, cultural heritage, materials science, and physics.