Sample Environment Engineer for High Temperature and Gas handling

ESSE - European Spallation Source ERIC; Lunds kommun; On-site; SEK 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

ESSE - European Spallation Source ERIC in Lund, Sweden is seeking a Sample Environment Engineer to support the development and operations of high-temperature furnaces and gas handling systems. You will work closely with academic research groups and the Sample Environment team to deliver projects and operational support.

The role requires an MSc level degree in engineering and relevant experience with high-temperature gas systems. This full-time, fixed-term position lasts approximately 3 years, based at the new ESS Campus.

Qualifications

• Up to MSc level degree in an engineering subject relevant to high temperature and pressurised gas systems.
• Experience with design, and hands-on work with high-temperature equipment.
• Knowledge of material behaviour at high temperatures and hazards in gas systems.

Responsibilities

• Design and procure equipment for high temperature/gas handling systems.
• Collaborate with researchers to define technical specifications.
• Provide operational support for sample environments.

Skills

Mechanical assembly

Gas handling

Temperature control

Collaborative teamwork

Problem-solving

Education

MSc in Engineering (Mechanical, Materials or Metallurgical)

Tools

High temperature systems

Gas handling systems

Vacuum welding

Basic machining tools

Job description

Reference number ESD-79251

About the role

Within the Science Directorate, the Scientific Support Division provides the ESS neutron science program with experimental support including sample environments, user laboratories, deuteration, and hall coordination in close collaboration with Instrument Divisions. The Sample Environment group at ESS is preparing to support all ESS neutron instruments by developing, assembling and integrating a broad range of specialised equipment for achieving both very low and very high temperatures, high magnetic fields, high pressure, vacuum, gas or liquid flow, lasers, and in many cases, automated systems. Once ESS transitions into operations in early 2027, we will provide operational support for all sample environments on the instruments in close collaboration with scientists, as well as continue the development of new sample environments.

We are now seeking a Sample Environment Engineer to support the development, commissioning and operations of high‑temperature furnaces, as well as related gas handling and pressurised gas systems. In this role, you will deliver sample environment projects in these areas, working closely with other members of the Sample environment group and academic research groups to develop new equipment and provide operational support for early science experiments at ESS. You will collaborate with universities participating in the ESS Early Science Initiative project "Sustainable and functional materials from local resources" funded by the Swedish Research Council.

Responsibilities

• Specify, design, develop and procure equipment for high temperature/gas handling and pressurised sample environment systems.
• Work with academic researchers to develop technical specifications and propose solutions and designs to meet scientific requirements.
• Assemble, integrate and commission sample environments and associated equipment.
• Install, operate, maintain and repair high temperature/gas handling/pressurised systems and related equipment.
• Collaborate with ESS instrument teams and academic user groups to establish specifications and priorities for new high temperature/gas handling/pressurised systems.
• Provide operational sample environment support for the ESS instruments including on‑call support.
• Provide expert experiment safety reviews for user proposals and carry out safety testing of user‑supplied equipment.
• Collaborate with ESS instrument teams, users, and sample environment groups at other large‑scale facilities to further develop high temperature/gas handling/pressurised sample environment equipment and technologies.
• Participate in the setting‑up, maintenance and operation of the sample environment workshops and facilities.

About you

You have up to an MSc level degree in an engineering subject (e.g. mechanical, materials or metallurgical engineering) with relevance to this position, which focuses on the development and practical realisation of high temperature and pressurised gas handling systems for scientific measurements. Previous experience of design as well as hands‑on work experience with high‑temperature equipment and gas handling/pressurised gas systems is required. You also have previous experience of mechanical assembly, maintenance and repairs, as well as relevant knowledge of material behaviour at high temperatures and hazards involved in pressurised gas systems.

Experience of developing scientific or technical equipment involving controlling or monitoring temperature, mass, gas pressure or other experimental parameters would be considered particularly beneficial for this role. Experience with additional techniques including vacuum welding, brazing, wiring, light sheet metal work, and tube bending is also regarded as a merit, as are basic machining skills. Knowledge of control systems and programming would be an advantage, but not a requirement.

You are accustomed to working with scientists as well as technicians to define and deliver projects and support operating equipment. You take as much pride in designing engineering solutions to meet scientific requirements as providing hands‑on practical solutions to equipment problems, and approach all tasks with a collaborative, service‑oriented mind‑set. You are eager to learn new things, adapt quickly, and are interested in contributing across a variety of tasks besides your core area of competence. A genuine interest in designing as well as building, repairing, or improving experimental equipment is vital. Prior work in a sample environment group or large‑scale facility working with high temperature furnaces would be considered a merit, but is not essential.

This is a full‑time, fixed‑term position for around 3 years based at the brand new ESS Campus in Lund, Sweden.