Job Description
Your responsibilities
As an Applied Physicist, you will join the Non-Linear Dynamics and Collimation Section within the Accelerator and Beam Physics Group (ABP) under the Beams Department (BE), where you will work on advanced nonlinear beam manipulations aimed at boosting the performance of existing and future circular particle accelerators with emphasis on beam-halo manipulations.
In recent years, intense efforts have been devoted to study and promote novel manipulations of hadron beams based on nonlinear dynamics, such as transition crossing using stable islands, splitting using AC multipoles, and transverse emittance sharing by crossing a 2D resonance.
Based on this research, you will:
- Study and model nonlinear beam manipulations such as:
- Beam splitting via AC multipoles;
- Transverse emittance sharing across 2D resonances.
- Explore new topics, including:
- Halo control for improved collimation or fixed-target applications;
- Novel extraction methods based on adiabatic transport, particle trapping and bent crystals;
- Beam-beam effects in split beams.
- Perform theoretical analysis and high-fidelity numerical simulations to investigate these mechanisms.
- Collaborate with CERN accelerator teams to identify experimental opportunities and test key concepts in real machines.
Your profile
Skills:
- Advanced knowledge of accelerator physics;
- Familiarity with simulation tools such as Xsuite, MAD-X or equivalent would be an asset;
- Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of the other language.
Eligibility criteria:
- You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
- You have a professional background in Applied physicist (or a related field) and have either:
- a Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience;
- or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience.
- You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
Additional Information
Job closing date: 05.10.2025 at 23:59 CEST.
Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.
Working hours: 40 hours per week
Target start date: 01-January-2026
Job reference: BE-ABP-NDC-2025-129-GRAP
Field of work: Applied Physics
What we offer
- A monthly stipend ranging between 6287 and 6911 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
- Coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
- Depending on your individual circumstances: installation grant; family, child and infant allowances; payment of travel expenses at the beginning and end of contract.
- 30 days of paid leave per year.
- On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.
About us
At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on http://home.cern.
We are on a Quest. A Journey into discovery like no other. Bring your expertise to our unique work and develop your knowledge and skills at pace. Join world-class subject matter experts on unique projects, in a Quest for greater knowledge and deeper understanding.
Begin your CERN Quest. Take Part!
Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success.
