The FCC (Future Circular Collider) study aims to propose a technological concept in view of building the next electron-positron collider for an in-depth study of the Higgs boson properties. The key to success will rely on the capacity to reduce as much as possible its energy consumption and overall environmental impact. Such an objective will only be possible by improving the performance of the devices which provide the acceleration of the particles, namely the superconducting accelerating radio-frequency (RF) structures that currently rely on the technology of niobium thin films on copper.

The Vacuum, Surfaces and Coatings group proposes to use a challenging alternative to pure niobium consisting of using higher critical temperature superconductor (Nb3Sn, V3Si...) thin films on copper. Feasibility and first RF behaviour have been investigated and qualified on laboratory flat samples and the objective now is to improve the performance to justify a potential scale-up of the technology to the level of an accelerating cavity.

We are looking for a material/surface scientist with deep knowledge of thin film coating technology and experience using energetic condensation such as High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering.

You want to apply your expertise in the field of RF superconductivity and demonstrate the possibility to reduce by a factor 10 the energy consumption of our accelerating components.

In this project, you will:

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• Perform coating on substrates to obtain samples in order to investigate the effects of the process parameters onto the surface resistance of the resulting superconducting thin films;\\n
• Perform X-ray diffraction data analysis on the samples using Rietveld refinement method;\\n
• Select samples of interest to be measured in Transmission Electron Microscopy and Scanning Hall microscopy by collaborating institutes and participate in the data interpretation;\\n
• Provide samples for RF surface resistance measurements to the respective CERN team and discuss the results. Evaluate the viability of the technology and if validated proceed to a scale-up to 1.3GHz cavities.\\n

More information here.

Your profile

Skills and/or knowledge

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• Knowledge of physical vapor deposition techniques;\\n
• Knowledge in RF superconductivity would be a plus;\\n
• Experience with HiPIMS technique would also be a plus, as well as with MAUD software;\\n
• Fluent in English, the ability to work in French would be an advantage.\\n

Eligibility criteria:

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• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.\\n
• You have a professional background in Material Science or Plasma Physics (or a related field) and have either:\\n
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  • a Master\\\'s degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience;\\n
  • or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience.\\n
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• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.\\n

Job closing date: 10 January 2023 at 23h59 (CET)

Job reference: TE-VSC-SCC-2023-138-GRAP

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Target start date: 01-June-2024

This position requires:

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• A valid driving licence.\\n

What we offer

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• A monthly stipend ranging between 6194 and 6808 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).\\n
• Coverage by CERN\\\'s comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.\\n
• Depending on your individual circumstances: installation grant; family, child and infant allowances; payment of travel expenses at the beginning and end of contract.\\n
• 30 days of paid leave per year.\\n
• On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.\\n

About us

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world\\\'s largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on http://home.cern.

We are on a Quest. A Journey into discovery like no other. Bring your expertise to our unique work and develop your knowledge and skills at pace. Join world-class subject matter experts on unique projects, in a Quest for greater knowledge and deeper understanding.

Begin your CERN Quest. Take Part!

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN\\\'s mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success.