Laboratory Technician

The European Spallation Source is hiring motivated and inspiring people from across the globe to design, construct and operate the world’s most powerful neutron source. We seek ambitious, talented people in a range of fields who are excited about playing a part in the future of science in Europe. ESS is a partnership of 13 European countries and occupies a truly impressive campus based in the beautiful, cosmopolitan university city of Lund, Sweden – just 10 minutes from Malmö and 30 minutes from Copenhagen.

About the role:
We are now looking to appoint a Laboratory Technician to join the Accelerator Division here at ESS. The Accelerator Division is designing, constructing, commissioning and operating a truly one of a kind 5 MW linear accelerator and all of the associated systems for the ESS facility – which incorporate a wide range of custom and off-the-shelf detector, electronic, and software technologies.

This is a crucial role for ESS and it represents a great opportunity for a service-oriented individual who can adapt well to new challenges every day. No two work days will be the same. One day, you could be assembling and testing precision mechanical and optical systems, whilst the next day you could be working with staff at partner laboratories throughout Europe or writing specifications, procurement documents, test procedures and other documentation.

About you:
To thrive with us in the Accelerator Division, 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 get your hands dirty!

Ideally, you will have appropriate technical qualifications, however relevant experience in a similar role is more critical than the type of degree you hold. Examples of recognized qualifications include Technical Assistant degrees, apprenticeships such as the CERN Technician Training Experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. We really need someone who knows how to organize and maintain laboratories full of particle detector systems, electronic instrumentation, optics, and additional scientific equipment. You will use your hands-on skills to assemble and test precision mechanical and optical systems, and you will enjoy collaborations with your colleagues in chemistry, vacuum and other facilities across the ESS campus. It would be a real advantage if you are comfortable using a variety of software to acquire and analyze data, and if you can bring experience of working in a research environment.

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, organised, responsible and – most importantly – safe way.

The working language of ESS is English, but for this role, it would be considered a significant advantage if you could also work in Swedish as well.

What can we offer?
Aside from the opportunity to work at one of only 4 linear accelerator-based Spallation sources on the whole planet, 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, exciting and fast-paced work environment.
• Market competitive compensation that is individual and differentiated according to role, responsibilities, individual skills, abilities and achievements.
• 25 days of annual leave, as well as more than 10 days of public holiday and company days off or days with limited working hours.
• Flexible working arrangements and a real work-life balance.
• Relocation support and allowances if needed.
• An excellent quality of life in the highly sought after, family-friendly, beautiful and well-connected Southern Sweden/Greater Copenhagen region.

This a permanent position. You will be based at the ESS Campus in Lund, Sweden - and we’d love you to start as soon as possible. We anticipate that this role will require occasional on-call and shift work in the future.

Interested? We sure hope so.
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.

The closing date for applications for this position is Friday, 17th June 2022.

If you want to know more about this role, please contact the recruitment manager Thomas Shea on thomas.shea@ess.eu.For questions about the recruitment process, contact Daniel Nordin Baker on daniel.nordin@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 Yngve Levinsen at yngve.levinsen@ess.eu.

We hope to hear from you soon!

Internal reference: ESD-13910