Ion Source Engineer

The European Spallation Source is one of the largest science and technology infrastructure projects being built today. The project includes the most powerful linear proton accelerator ever built, a five-tonne, helium-cooled tungsten target wheel, 15 state-of-the-art neutron instruments, a suite of laboratories, and a supercomputing data management and software development centre. In the context of its history and future as a scientific organisation, however, it is more than the sum of its parts. It is a brand-new Big Science organisation and we are building it from the ground up.

Come and build the future of Science with us!

About the role:

The ESS is at an exciting turning point. It is in transition from being a construction site to being a world-class operating facility. To help us realise our goal of being the most powerful neutron source in the world, we are looking to appoint an Ion Source Engineer to join our linear accelerator (linac) group.

This is a unique opportunity to play a crucial role in advancing our accelerator programs, contributing to cutting-edge research, and ensuring the success of our scientific endeavours. Our Ion Source is the foundation of our whole operation. This is your invitation to shape the future of particle acceleration and neutron production in a dynamic and cutting-edge environment. In this role, you will act as the System Owner of the ISRC, LEBT, MEBT, and Test Stand 4 – our dedicated Ion Source test stand.

As the orchestrator of excellence for these crucial components, you'll be the force behind the seamless functioning of our linac systems. The role extends to strategic planning – where you'll define spares and equipment essential for operations and maintenance. As a crucial part of our team, you'll be at the forefront of identifying root causes failures, weaknesses, and variations in the normal-conducting linac, and ensuring compliance with the highest standards of environmental, safety, health, and quality requirements.

This is a full-time, permanent position based at the ground breaking ESS facility in Lund, Sweden.

About you:

To thrive with us in the linac group you need to be driven, responsive and good at spotting both problems and opportunities. You need to be a highly motivated person who isn’t afraid to jump in with both feet from day one.

We are seeking an accomplished and experienced Accelerator Physicist/Engineer to join our dynamic team. Our ideal candidate will have a PhD in Accelerator Physics, Accelerator Technology or a closely related discipline. However, we will also consider an appropriate combination of technical qualifications and relevant experience in a similar accelerator facility.

The successful candidate will possess a strong academic background, practical expertise, and a proven track record in accelerator physics and operations. Previous hands-on experience in beam measurements, particle accelerator operations, ion source operations and/or particle beam dynamics is a pre-requisite for this role. Proficiency in high level programming languages, especially python, and EPICS control system environment would also be a distinct advantage. Knowledge of ion source beam design software tools is an asset for the stewardship of the ESS proton source and the test stand program, supporting continuous optimisation of the ESS beam production parameters to meet the neutron production goals.

We are building ESS from the ground up, so we need someone who is comfortable not only following procedures, but also creating them. We attach great importance to personality and attitude, so we're looking for a real team player: Someone who is sociable, has excellent communication skills, who likes to collaborate with different people and who is committed to helping this amazing project to realise its full potential. We need a hands-on self-starter who is able to work in a structured, orderly, responsible and – most importantly – safe way.

The working language of ESS is English and we ideally need someone who can start as soon as possible!

What can we offer?

Aside from the chance to work at truly unique big science project, you can also expect:


• An opportunity to contribute to the future discoveries within neutron science.
• A stunning, brand new workplace filled with innovative minds and brilliant people from across the globe.
• A challenging, innovative and stimulating work environment.
• Market competitive compensation that is individual and differentiated according to role, responsibilities, individual skills, abilities and achievements.
• 30 days of annual leave, as well as more than 10 days of public holiday and company days off or days with limited working hours.
• Monthly pension contributions on top of your salary.

If you see yourself in what we’re looking for, please provide your CV and motivation letter in English by clicking on “apply” and following the instructions. Please be aware that we can only accept direct applications made via the ESS website.

Certain roles at ESS require health and safety checks and/or security clearance procedures, which will be performed as part of the recruitment process.

We review applications continuously, so don’t miss out! Submit your application as soon as soon as you can and quote the job reference number ESD-43462 in your application.

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/ess-recruitment-process or contact Daniel Nordin Baker – Recruitment partner – on daniel.nordin@ess.eu. For further information regarding the position, please contact the hiring manager, Håkan Danared on hakan.danared@ess.eu

For trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Conny Wendt at conny.wendt@ess.eu or SACO/Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers representative Marc Kickulies at marc.kickulies@ess.eu.

We look forward to receiving your application soon!