ATLAS Operator

Argonne; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

Argonne National Laboratory seeks an ATLAS Operator to support the ATLAS accelerator operations at the U.S. Department of Energy flagship facility near Chicago.

You will operate, tune, troubleshoot, and maintain accelerator systems while collaborating with scientific users to ensure successful experiments. You will alternate as Chief Shift Operator, upholding radiation safety and operational protocol; contribute to upgrades in beam optics, controls, detector systems, and vacuum technology.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline is preferred but not required.
• Knowledge of accelerator operations areas such as electronics, cryogenics, control systems, vacuum systems and magnets.
• Familiarity with concepts relevant to particle accelerator facilities.
• Willingness to learn a broad range of technologies used at ATLAS including RF systems, electronics, beam optics, vacuum, sources, magnetics and control systems.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with safety and teamwork values.

Responsibilities

• Operate the ATLAS particle accelerator independently and with the team.
• Tune accelerator systems to support experiments.
• Diagnose equipment issues and perform maintenance and repairs.
• Assist with upgrades and improvements to accelerator systems.
• Collaborate with users to support experiment execution.
• Serve as Chief Shift Operator as assigned, ensuring safe operation and radiation safety compliance.
• Work with experts to improve beam optics, controls, detectors, and vacuum technology.

Skills

Basic accelerator knowledge

Safety procedures

Communication skills

Teamwork

Learning mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in STEM (preferred)

Job description

Argonne National Laboratory is seeking an ATLAS Operator to support operations at the U.S. Department of Energy’s flagship facility for low-energy heavy‑ion nuclear physics research. ATLAS uses superconducting radio‑frequency technology to accelerate ions ranging from helium to uranium to energies near the Coulomb barrier.

In this role, you will operate the ATLAS particle accelerator both independently and as part of a collaborative team. Responsibilities include tuning the accelerator, troubleshooting operational issues, performing maintenance and repairs, supporting system upgrades, and working closely with scientific users to help ensure the success of nuclear physics experiments. You will alternate serving as a Chief Shift Operator, with responsibility for the safe and effective operation of the accelerator during assigned shifts, including adherence to radiation safety protocols and other operational safety requirements. This position also involves partnering with technical experts to improve accelerator subsystems such as beam optics, controls, energy detector systems, and vacuum systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate the ATLAS particle accelerator independently and in coordination with the operations team
• Tune accelerator systems to support experimental requirements
• Diagnose equipment and system issues and perform maintenance and repairs as needed
• Assist with upgrades and improvements to accelerator systems and subsystems
• Collaborate with scientific users to support successful experiment execution
• Serve as Chief Shift Operator as assigned, ensuring safe accelerator operation, including radiation safety compliance
• Work with system experts to develop and implement improvements in areas such as beam optics, controls, detector systems, and vacuum technology

Position Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline, such as physics or engineering, is preferred but not required
• Basic knowledge of one or more technical areas related to accelerator operations, such as: electronics cryogenics computer control and automation systems vacuum systems magnets mechanical systems
• Familiarity with scientific and engineering concepts relevant to particle accelerator facilities
• Willingness to learn and work with a broad range of technologies used at ATLAS, including:
  • radio frequency systems
  • analog and digital electronics
  • ion beam optics
  • vacuum systems
  • ion sources
  • magnetics
  • computers
  • distributed control systems
• Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively with colleagues, users, and technical staff
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage work priorities and maintain accurate records
• Ability to model Argonne’s core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity, and teamwork

ST2: Associates and 5+ years of experience, or equivalent Job Family Support Technical (ST) Job Profile Accelerator Operations Support 2 Worker Type Regular Time Type Full time

The expected hiring range for this position is $29.75 - $46.41. Please note that the pay range information is a general guideline only. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as, but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, business considerations, internal equity, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

Additionally, comprehensive benefits are part of the total rewards package.

As an equal employment opportunity employer, and in accordance with our core values of impact, safety, respect, integrity and teamwork, Argonne National Laboratory is committed to a safe and welcoming workplace that fosters collaborative scientific discovery and innovation.

Argonne is committed to nondiscrimination and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by law.

Argonne employees, and certain guest researchers and contractors, are subject to particular restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Sponsored or Affiliated Activities, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation in the application phase for review by Argonne's Legal Department.

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Failure to obtain or maintain such government access authorization could result in the withdrawal of a job offer or future termination of employment.

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