Radio Frequency Cavity Engineer

Reference number ESD-34013

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The European Spallation Source is one of the largest science and technology infrastructure projects being built today. The project includes the most powerful linear proton accelerator ever built, a five-tonne, helium-cooled tungsten target wheel, 15 state-of-the-art neutron instruments, a suite of laboratories, and a supercomputing data management and software development centre. In the context of its history and future as a scientific organisation, however, it is more than the sum of its parts. It is a brand-new Big Science organisation and we are building it from the ground up.

Come and build the future of Science with us!

About the role:
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 RF cavity scientist or engineer to join the Linac Group to support the operation, maintenance and development of the normal-conducting and superconducting cavities of the ESS linear accelerator.

In this role, you will be working within a team of technicians and engineers. The ESS linac accelerating elements include an RFQ, 3 buncher cavities, a 5-segment drift-tube linac, 26 double spoke cavities and up to 120 elliptical cavities of two different families (medium beta and high beta). All of the normal conducting front-end, the spokes and 56 elliptical cavities are already installed for the staged commissioning of the facility at 2 MW power. Commissioning with low power beam is under way, and operation with full beam power is planned to start in 2026 – when the protons can be sent to the spallation target.

The scope of this role includes the completion of all installations, the testing and commissioning prior to operation, but also the management of maintenance procedures and spare part provisions, and finally the development of component improvements, as needed to ensure reliable beam delivery from the linac after start of user operation in 2027. Linac group members support operation with 24/7 on-call services and in periods of extended working hours during critical commissioning phases, which may require periods of work during weekends and unsocial hours.

The linac group operates an ion-source test stand (for studies of beam stability/reliability and optimisation) and a Cryomodule test stand. The development of a spare RFQ and of a full cryomodule repair facility are activities that will presumably open with the transition to the operation phase. Your tasks will be managed and coordinated in close collaboration with the other groups of the Accelerator Division, with the Operations Division and with ESS in-kind partners. All work at ESS is performed in compliance with rules for health and safety and follows ESS standards for engineering and documentation.

This is a full-time position based at the ESS Campus in Lund, Sweden.

About you:
To excel in this role, we need a highly skilled and adaptable engineer or scientist with a deep understanding of radio frequency (RF) cavity technology, particle accelerators, and high-power beam physics. You will be responsible for ensuring the reliable operation, maintenance, and development of the normal-conducting and superconducting cavities of the ESS linear accelerator. As such, you should be comfortable working in a dynamic, hands-on, and high-stakes environment where precision, collaboration, and innovation are key to our collective success.

A master’s degree or a PhD in Physics, Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent professional experience), as well as extensive technical expertise in RF cavity systems, accelerator physics, or high-power RF systems is essential for this role. You must have a strong understanding of normal-conducting and superconducting accelerator cavities, including design, commissioning, and operation.

You need to have extensive, hands-on practical experience with accelerator technology. This includes commissioning, testing, and troubleshooting accelerator components, as well as knowledge of beam dynamics, RF power sources, cryogenic systems, and vacuum technology. You should also be very familiar with beam transport systems, ion sources, and accelerator magnets. Prior experience with low-level RF (LLRF) systems, klystrons, and solid-state RF amplifiers is highly desirable. Experience of ensuring compliance with radiation safety, cryogenic safety, and high-voltage protocols and an ability to assess risks and implement mitigation strategies in an accelerator environment is a prerequisite for this role.

Aside from your technical competence, you should be comfortable working closely with engineers, scientists, technicians, and operations teams. Experience of collaborating with in-kind partners, research institutions, and industrial suppliers would be a benefit. The transition from construction to operation requires flexibility in handling unexpected challenges. Therefore, we need someone who can analyse complex technical issues, identify root causes, and implement effective solutions which balance short-term problem-solving with long-term planning.

Documenting processes, writing technical reports, and presenting findings to colleagues and stakeholders is another important aspect of this role. Therefore, excellent verbal and written English communication skills are required, as this is the working language of ESS.

To apply:
A career at ESS gives you the opportunity to contribute to the future discoveries within neutron science at a stunning, brand-new workplace filled with innovative minds and brilliant people from across the globe. We offer market competitive, individualised compensation which is differentiated according to role, responsibilities, individual skills, abilities and achievements, 30 days of annual leave, more than 10 days of public holiday and company days off (or days with limited working hours), as well as monthly pension contributions on top of your salary.

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. Submit your application as soon as you can and quote the job reference number ESD-34013 in your application.

This role is subject to enhanced security clearance procedures, which will be performed as part of the recruitment process.

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/ess-recruitment-process or contact Daniel Nordin Baker – Recruitment partner – at daniel.nordin@ess.eu.

For trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Mikael Johansson on Mikael.Johansson@ess.eu or SACO/Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers representative Marc Kickulies at marc.kickulies@ess.eu

URL to this pagehttps://europeanspallationsource.se/careers/vacancies?rmpage=job&rmjob=1564&rmlang=UK

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