Post-Doctoral fellowship for the PanEDM experiment

Your tasks
Working within the "Nuclear and Particle Physics (NPP)" group, you will be closely involved in the commissioning of a world-class experiment to measure the neutron electric dipole moment. The experiment is based on the superthermal ultracold neutron (UCN) source SuperSUN and the PanEDM experimental set-up. While SuperSUN is an ILL-operated instrument, the operation of PanEDM is based on an international collaboration led by Technical University Munich and Heidelberg University. You will be in charge of coordinating contributions from external partners and ILL services. On the scientific side, you will focus on and contribute to the following tasks:
. Study the output from the new ultracold neutrons (UCN) source SuperSUN in collaboration with ILL scientists, focusing on the optimization of the interface between source and experiment, and establish the performance benchmarks of PanEDM.
. Lead installation, characterisation and commissioning of the key interface components, including the UCN optics and detectors linking PanEDM to SuperSUN.
. Support and guide magnetic field mapping and optical magnetometry in preparation for measurements with polarized UCN.
. Carry out supporting studies and component validations using UCN from other sources, in particular SUN2.
. Test and optimize storage cell geometry, closure and coating to match the observed UCN spectrum from SuperSUN and improve figures of merit for PanEDM.
. Perform comparison measurements between SuperSUN and other UCN sources, using a "standard" UCN storage system closely matching the PanEDM storage cells.

Your profile
. You hold a PhD in physics, with a strong knowledge of low-energy particle physics.
. Experience of and expertise in UCN physics and/or neutron electric dipole experiments, magnetic field mapping and magnetometry would be an advantage.
The post represents an excellent opportunity for a postdoctoral scientist to develop expertise, broaden his/her experience and interact with leading scientists from around the world.


What we offer
Quality of life A hub for research and technology, the city of Grenoble is ideally located in the heart of the French Alps (just 3 hours from Paris/Provence by train, 1 hour from Lyon international airport and 1 ½ hours from Geneva). It is important for us that our staff achieve a healthy work-life balance. We therefore offer home working (under certain conditions), generous annual paid leave entitlement and a host of other benefits that you will discover when you arrive!
Prospects We guarantee you a secure 18-month post-doctoral contract, renewable for a further 6 to 18-month period. Only candidates holding a PhD obtained less than 4 years ago are eligible for post-doctoral positions at ILL.
Benefits We offer generous social benefits (expatriation allowance, excellent health cover), moving and relocation assistance (under certain conditions) and an annual productivity bonus. We also offer language courses for you and your partner and subsidies for the use of public transport and the staff canteen, as well as for holidays and a variety of cultural and sports activities.


Sounds interesting?
Then why not take your next career step with us by applying online - preferably in English - via our career portal by 09.07.2023, quoting reference number 23/26 with a list of publications and the names of 3 referees, including one from your present work place. Please note that all applicants are subject to administrative screening (background checks). For this post, medical fitness for work under ionising radiation is required. We are committed to equal opportunities and diversity and therefore welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.


Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) - operates Europe's leading research facility for basic research with neutrons in Grenoble (France). The passion for progress and technology unites us and makes innovation in science and research possible every day. Let's work together to change our society and our world for the better.

www.ill.eu/careers