Postdoc research fellow

The European Spallation Source, ESS, a partnership of European countries, is hiring motivated and inspired people to plan, design, and construct the world’s most powerful neutron source. We seek ambitious, talented people in different fields who are excited about playing a part in the future of science in Europe.

ESS can offer a variety of things, such as passionate and international colleagues, a vibrant melting pot of diversity, and a challenging, exciting and high paced work environment. We value and need expertise, innovative minds and great ways of leading and interacting with people from all over the world.

Come and change the world with us!

ESS is now looking for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on the conceptual design of a Very Cold Neutron (VCN) source, with the aim to deliver neutron fluxes above 10 Å with unprecedented intensities, to boost applications in condensed matter research and fundamental physics. VCN sources with high intensity are currently not available in the world. The project aims at developing such source, using innovative materials such as clathrate hydrides and diamond nanoparticles.

The postdoc will be part of the Spallation Physics Group in the Target Division of ESS, which is responsible for designing and building the neutron source.

Job description

The researcher will join the CREMLINplus project, about European-Russian scientific and technical collaboration in the field of research infrastructures. In particular, this position is within the Work Package 3 for the collaboration with the PIK reactor in Russia. The main task of the researcher will be to perform the conceptual design of the source using Monte Carlo codes such as MCNP, GEANT4 or FLUKA. A crucial component will be the development of the cross-section libraries for the materials used for the VCN source, some of which are currently not available. The postdoc will develop the libraries from experimental data in the format suitable to be used in the codes. He will investigate different materials for the VCN moderator/converter, and reflector, such as solid deuterium,  clathrate hydrides and diamond nanoparticles. It is also possible that new experimental data will be measured at facilities like the ILL source in France. Once the libraries will be available for use in the codes, the postdoc will perform the design of a the VCN source. It is foreseen that a prototype of the source will be designed, built and tested either at the ILL or JINR (Russia) facilities. The postdoc will perform the neutronic design of the prototype.

Qualifications:

The following qualifications is required: 


• PhD obtained within the last 6 years in nuclear physics or related field
• Experience with use of Monte Carlo transport codes such as MCNP, FLUKA or Geant4.

We think that the successful candidate also has one or more of the following experiences: 


• Experience with performing experimental measurements with low-energy neutrons
• Experience with analysis of data from inelastic neutron cross section measurements
• Experience with ab initio algorithms for determination of components of low energy neutron cross sections. 

Experience of working in an international environment is an advantage and excellent oral and written English skills are a prerequisite. 

To be successful and perform well in this position the right candidate needs to have a genuine enthusiasm about the work,  be well-organized and self-motivated. You should also be goal-oriented and be used to working towards deadlines. We are looking for a brilliant, innovative, and open-minded scientist with excellent communication skills!

The position is funded by the CREMLINplus EU grant. The position will involve travel, to meetings and possibly to experiments.

Duration & Location
The position is a fixed term position of 2 years. 

Your work place will be situated in Lund, Sweden.

Start date
The position is to be filled as soon as possible.

Application & Contact

Please provide your curriculum vitae in English by clicking on “apply” and follow the instructions. Please note that we only accept applications via the ESS website.

The deadline for applications is 30th April, 2020. 

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/ess-recruitment-process. 

For further information regarding the position, please contact the mentor for this position, Luca Zanini, luca.zanini[at]ess.eu.

For further information regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Officer, Tina Nilsson, tina.nilsson[at]ess.eu.

For trade union information please contact Unionen / Conny Wendt at +46 46 888 34 63 or SACO / Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers/ Riccardo Bevilacqua at +46 46 888 32 28.

We look forward to receiving your application!