Research Scientist: Ultra Cold Neutrons

Physics World; France; Sur place; EUR 60 000 - 80 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

A leading research facility in Europe is looking for an 'Instrument Responsible' for the Super-Cool Neutron (UCN) source SuperSUN. The role involves ensuring reliable operation, collaborating with scientists, and conducting personal research. Applicants should possess a PhD in physics, a strong interest in scientific instrumentation, and excellent organizational skills. This position offers a stable contract, generous benefits, and a nice work-life balance in the scenic setting of Grenoble, France.

Prestations

Home working (under certain conditions)

Annual productivity bonus

Relocation assistance

Language courses

Subsidies for public transport and cultural activities

Qualifications

• PhD in physics, preferably in experimental nuclear or particle physics.
• High motivation and curiosity in science and technology.
• Strong organisational skills and experience in scientific instrumentation.

Responsabilités

• Ensure reliable operation of SuperSUN and compliance with standards.
• Develop new instrumentation for UCN transport, storage, and spectroscopy.
• Collaborate with users to enhance performance for scientific experiments.
• Conduct personal research and preparation of scientific publications.
• Support current and future experimental programs.

Connaissances

Curiosity in science and technology

Strong organisational skills

Experience in scientific instrumentation development

Formation

PhD in physics (preferably in experimental nuclear or particle physics)

Outils

Neutron optics

Cryogenics

Vacuum techniques

Description du poste

The Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), situated in Grenoble, France, is Europe’s leading research facility for scientific research using neutrons. Every year we host over 2000 visits by scientists who come to the Institute to carry out world‑class research.

Working within the Nuclear and Particle Physics (NPP) Group you will be involved in the operation and optimisation of the new Ultra‑Cold Neutron (UCN) source SuperSUN as its ‘first Instrument Responsible’. You will have the opportunity to explore the scientific possibilities of world leading cold, very‑cold, and ultra‑cold neutron sources.

Your tasks

• Assure a reliable operation of SuperSUN. This includes management and documentation of interventions from different ILL services and assuring compliance of the instrument.
• Perform measurements for instrument characterization, develop new instrumentation for UCN transport, storage and spectroscopy; work on data acquisition, analysis and scientific evaluation.
• Collaborate with users to optimise the performance of SuperSUN for specific scientific tasks. The current user experiment, PanEDM, has the goal to measure the static electric dipole moment of the neutron with unprecedented accuracy.
• Pursue a personal research program, by developing own ideas, proposing experiments, fostering scientific collaborations, and preparation of scientific publications.
• Promote and support current and future experimental programs.

Your profile

• PhD in physics, preferably in experimental nuclear or particle physics.
• High motivation, curiosity in science and technology, strong organisational skills.
• Solid experience and strong interest in developments of scientific instrumentation.
• Experience in special techniques related to the scope of UCN physics (neutron optics, cryogenics, characterisation of surfaces, vacuum techniques etc.) would be highly welcome.

What we offer

Quality of Life This position is based in Grenoble, a hub for research and technology, ideally located in the heart of the French Alps (just 3 hours from Paris/Provence by train, 1 hour from Lyon international airport and 1 ½ hours from Geneva). It is important for us that our staff achieve a healthy work‑life balance. We therefore offer home working (under certain conditions), generous annual paid leave entitlement and a host of other benefits that you will discover when you arrive!

Prospects We guarantee you a stable 5‑year fixed‑term contract position in a multicultural scientific environment.

Benefits We offer generous social benefits (expatriation allowance, excellent health cover), moving and relocation assistance (under certain conditions) and an annual productivity bonus. We also offer language courses for you and your partner and subsidies for the use of public transport and the staff canteen, as well as for holidays and a variety of cultural and sports activities.

Sounds interesting? Then why not take your next career step with us by applying online - preferably in English - via our career portal by 18.01.2026, quoting reference number 25/70. with a list of publications and the names of 3 referees, including one from your present work place. Please note that all applicants are subject to administrative screening. For this post, medical fitness for work under ionising radiation and that medical fitness is required. We are committed to equal opportunities and diversity and therefore welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.