RF Engineer/Physicist GHz-Range Particle Accelerator Beam Feedbacks

The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting-edge research in the fields of matter and materials, energy and environment and human health. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, post-graduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2100 people.

PSI operates different particle accelerators, including SwissFEL, a free electron X-Ray laser driven by a 600 m long linear accelerator, or the Swiss Light Source (SLS), an electron storage ring with 288 m circumference. The SLS provides photon beams of high brightness for research in materials science, biology and chemistry. After about two decades of operation, PSI plans to replace the existing SLS storage ring by a new one (“SLS 2.0”) providing much higher photon beam brightness.

The Accelerator Feedbacks and Measurement Systems Group develops and operating RF based measurement and fast beam feedback systems for the PSI particle accelerators. The systems use multi-GHz RF signals to detect the position, charge and arrival time of individual bunches down to 2 ns bunch spacing. By using fast AD and DA converters and the latest FPGA/SoC technology, these systems apply corrective kicks to the electron beam using fast digital feedback loops and fast kicker magnets driven by RF power amplifiers.

For our challenging tasks, we are looking for a RF Engineer/Physicist GHz-Range Particle Accelerator Beam Feedbacks.

Your tasks
You will participate in the simulation, development, commissioning and operation of ultrafast RF-based bunch-by-bunch measurement and feedback systems for particle accelerators. You contribute to the specification, development and characterization of active and passive RF components for these systems. This includes multi-GHz RF front-end electronics, GHz-range AD/DA converter electronics, passive microwave structures, capacitive electrodes to detect the beam position, and fast stripline-based kicker magnets driven by commercial RF power amplifiers. You contribute to the simulation, development, test and analysis of feedback algorithms. You participate in the operation and improvement of new and existing RF-based measurement and feedback systems.

Your profile
You are an engineer or physicist (master or PhD degree) with very good knowledge of RF-based measurement systems in the multi-GHz range. You have very good knowledge of RF electronics design and measurement techniques, and good knowledge of mixed signal electronics design and high-speed data conversion. You have good knowledge of digital signal processing techniques, and you are able to write data analysis and feedback algorithms as well as test and calibration programs in C/C++, Python and/or Matlab. Knowledge of accelerator physics and control systems, FPGA/RFSoC technology and bunch-by-bunch accelerator feedbacks is a plus. You enjoy the collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of physicists, engineers and technicians. Good knowledge of English is mandatory.

We offer
Our institution is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration. You will profit from a systematic training on the job, in addition to personal development possibilities and our pronounced vocational training culture. If you wish to optimally combine work and family life or other personal interests, we are able to support you with our modern employment conditions and the on-site infrastructure.

The employment contract will initially be limited to three years.

For further information, please contact Dr Boris Keil, phone +41 56 310 51 78.

Please submit your application online for the position as a RF Engineer or Physicist (index no. 8231-01).

Paul Scherrer Institut
Human Resources Management
Melanie Rapisarda-Bellwald
5232 Villigen PSI
Switzerland