Low-level RF Engineer F/M

ESRF - The European Synchrotron; Grenoble; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation support

International environment

Competitive compensation

Job summary

ESRF invites applications for an Electronics Engineer to contribute to the COLD Project, interfacing engineering development and accelerator research. You will work on RF control, stability studies and performance optimisation, with a strong research environment and collaboration with leading international laboratories.

The role offers a temporary contract up to 36 months, relocation support to Grenoble, and a dynamic multicultural setting in a world-class synchrotron facility.

Qualifications

• Master degree in electronics engineering or related field; PhD considered a plus.
• 3 years of relevant experience in digital electronics in professional or major academic projects.
• Proven skills in LLRF and control systems; embedded systems and signal processing.
• Strong RF knowledge: transmission lines, conditioning, measurement techniques.
• Experience with FPGA-based control or real-time systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Install and commission Digital LLRF acquisition and control and timing systems for LINAC RF power units.
• Develop and execute detailed test and characterization plans to benchmark system performance.
• Contribute to automated RF testing, measurement and power conditioning of accelerating structures and RF components.
• Perform FAT and SAT with suppliers.
• Contribute to specifications and evolution of control system architectures.

Skills

LLRF systems

Control systems

Signal processing

Embedded systems

RF measurement

Education

Master's degree in electronics engineering

PhD is a plus

Tools

Vector network analyzers (VNA)

Spectrum analyzers

Oscilloscopes

Signal generators

Job description

Context & Job Description

The Radio Frequency (RF) Group is in charge of the electron beam production (RF-Gun), its acceleration (LINAC and Booster RF equipment), its injection/extraction along the whole accelerator complex, and the energy restoring system within the Extremely Brilliant Source - Storage Ring (EBS-SR).

The recently approved COLD Project is intended to validate the SLAC C3 technology and is a major research initiative, focused on the development and validation of advanced LINAC technologies.

ESRF invites applications for an Electronics Engineer to contribute to the COLD Project.

The successful candidate will work at the interface between engineering development and accelerator research, contributing directly to experimental systems used for RF control, stability studies, and performance optimisation. The position offers a strong research environment, close interaction with physicists and engineers, and collaboration with leading international laboratories.

Main Responsibilities

• Install and commission Digital Low Level RF (LLRF) acquisition and control and timing systems for LINAC RF power units.
• Develop and execute detailed test and characterization plans to benchmark the system performance, measure and optimize key parameters, including amplitude and phase stability, noise and disturbance rejection.
• Contribute to automated RF testing, measurement, and power conditioning of accelerating structures, RF photo-guns, and deflecting cavities.
• Perform factory acceptance tests (FAT) and site acceptance tests (SAT) together with the supplier.
• Contribute to technical specifications and the evolution of control system architectures.

Expected profile

This role is particularly well suited to early-career engineers, as well as candidates wishing to further develop a research-oriented engineering profile.

• Higher university degree (Master or equivalent diploma offering 300 ECTS) in electronics engineering or a related field, PhD is a plus.
• 3 years of relevant experience in digital electronics is expected, gained in a professional setting and/or through significant academic projects.
• Proven skills in LLRF and Control systems, experience in signal processing and embedded systems.
• Solid understanding of RF systems, including transmission lines, signal conditioning and measurement techniques.
• Working knowledge of control theory and feedback systems in digital domain (PID/PI loops, stability, bandwidth).
• Hands-on experience with RF measurement instrumentation: vector network analyzers (VNA), spectrum analyzers, oscilloscopes and signal generators.
• Experience with low-level RF (LLRF) systems and/or familiarity with digital signal processing and/or FPGA-based control and/or real-time systems and/or experience with fieldbus/timing systems.
• Proactive, well organised, and comfortable working in a multicultural, multidisciplinary environment.
• Good communication skills and team spirit.
• Proficiency in English (working language at ESRF).

Working conditions

Temporary contract of 36 months maximum, depending on the progress of the project.

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

What We Offer

• 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 https://www.esrf.fr/home/Jobs/what-we-offer.html

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

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.

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