Research Scientist / Engineer

The Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL) is based in Grenoble (France) and operates Europe's leading
research facility for basic research with neutrons. United by our passion for progress and
technology, we drive science and research forward every day. Together, we can pave the way
for discoveries that will help to make our world a better place.

Core mission
The Neutron Optics Service is responsible for developing and manufacturing in-house optical devices for the ILL's world-class neutron instruments, based on technologies such as mosaic single-crystal synthesis, multilayer coating by magnetron sputtering and polarized 3He neutron spin filter cells. As a member of this Service you will work in close collaboration with experts in the field of neutron optics, in particular on the design, optimization and testing of polarizing neutron optical components.

Your tasks
-Develop high-quality polarized neutron supermirrors, optimizing the interfaces in magnetic multilayers.
-Optimize performances of 3He spin filter cells with respect to the relaxation time of the 3He polarized gas.
-Develop new types of metallic multilayers and supermirrors for the transport of cold and very cold neutron beams.
-Participate in the implementation and fine-tuning of new magnetic devices for wide-angle polarization analysis on cold neutron scattering instruments in close collaboration with ILL scientists and engineers.
-Become a driving force for proposals and innovations in the field of neutron optics to upgrade ILL instruments and the techniques used in the Neutron Optics Service.
-Publish experimental results.

Your profile
-PhD in physics or chemical physics (or equivalent)
-Knowledge of materials science, optics and/or neutron or X-Ray instrumentation is required
-Knowledge of ray-tracing simulations (e.g. Monte Carlo) on the transport of polarized neutrons from the source to the detector position would be an asset
-You are comfortable with both design/computing and experimental work
-You are a team player with good interpersonal and communication skills who is able to work efficiently with the other members of the Service (engineers and technicians) as well as with ILL scientists.

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 5-year fixed-term contract in a multicultural scientific environment.

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 19.06.2022, quoting reference number 22/15 with, if possible, a list of publications and the names of 2 referees, including one from your present work place. Please note that all applicants are subject to administrative screening. 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.