Laboratory Technician

Imagine what we could learn if we could build a microscope so powerful that it could look deep inside the very materials that the universe is made from. A microscope that could actually let us see the atoms and molecules that substances are made from. Imagine the new discoveries we could make, the new materials we could develop and how much we could learn about ourselves and our universe.

The European Spallation Source is the mother of all microscopes! It is one of the most exciting, innovative and ground-breaking, ”Big Science” projects under construction today. Research with neutrons lies behind some of the most important materials and innovations, which improve our everyday lives, our health and our environment – and ESS will be the most powerful neutron microscope when fully operational in 2027.

Others have built telescopes that allow us to look into the deepest regions of space. Now we are building a microscope so powerful it will allow us to the study the smallest objects – atoms – in the finest detail.

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 an operating facility. To help us realise our goal of being the most powerful neutron source in the world, we are now looking for a Laboratory Technician to support the user laboratories at ESS.

Together with your team, your work will initially focus on operating and running the current laboratories, as well as assisting in the oversight of the installation work on the new laboratories at the ESS site. While the installation of the labs is ongoing, your task will be to plan the move of existing lab equipment and chemicals to the new laboratories. Furthermore, you will stock the brand new labs with consumables and glassware and keep track of the chemical inventory. 

In the second stage, your work will shift towards running the newly established labs and focus on supporting lab activities together with your colleagues before the start of user operations in 2027. From 2027 on, many scientists will visit ESS to perform neutron experiments and prepare their samples in the user laboratories. The main part of your work will then be the support of the scientists in the chemistry laboratories and the organisation of the chemistry laboratories themselves. This will include introducing newly arrived users to our lab safety guidelines, assisting them in the use of the laboratories and supporting their measurements on our analytical lab equipment. It will also include making sure the labs are well stocked with what is needed and the equipment is well maintained.

This is not a research position but a job which opens up the possibility to learn about a wide variety of lab techniques and state-of-the-art research areas, while interacting with scientists from all nations, helping them to scientific success.

About you:

You have a bachelor’s degree or at least two years of education in chemistry and hands-on experience in laboratory work. Excellent soft skills are required. Furthermore, we expect from you the following capabilities:


• Safe handling of chemicals including hazardous chemicals.
• Using chemical equipment (distillation setup, pipetting, burettes…).
• Willingness to operate and maintain analytical lab equipment such as CHN analyzer, ICP-OES, FT-IR, among others.
• Maintaining laboratory safety.
• Experience in performing hazard analysis is a plus.
• Experience in handling radioactive materials is a plus.

We are looking for a proactive self-starter with good communication skills, who enjoys collaborating with people inside as well as outside the ESS organisation. You also thrive on working in a continuously changing environment.

It is important that you feel comfortable working in an international context and interacting with people from different backgrounds.

Fluency in written and spoken English is a requirement, as it is the working language of ESS.

This is a permanent position in Lund, Sweden.

What can we offer?

Aside from the chance to work at a 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, exciting and fast-paced 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.
• Flexible working arrangements and a real work-life balance.

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. We review applications continuously, so don’t miss out! Submit your application by 10 April, 2023 and quote the job reference number ESD-25444 in your application.

Certain roles at ESS require health and safety checks, which may be required in the final stages of the recruitment process.

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/ess-recruitment-process or contact Recruitment Officer Åsa Ander at asa.ander@ess.eu

For further information regarding the position, please contact the Hiring Manager Monika Hartl at monika.hartl@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 look forward to receiving your application soon!