[Neutron] A vacancy at ESS

[Sara Margaryan]

Laboratory Technician for Instrumentation

The Scientific Activities Division (SAD) at the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Lund, Sweden, invites applications for a Laboratory Technician.

The Scientific Activities Division (SAD) is responsible for the scientific support laboratories, sample environment and user office at the ESS. During the ESS construction phase, SAD is building the infrastructure and technical competence to operate the equipment that will control parameters such as temperatures, pressures, (gas) mixtures, humidity during neutron experiments.

Description of main responsibilities

You will be working closely with scientists, engineers and other technicians on ‘Sample Environment Systems for Fluids incl. Liquids, Vapors, Gases and Complex Fluids’ (FLUCO) required for neutron scattering experiments connected mainly to chemistry and soft condensed matter research. The main field of work will be operating and optimizing commercially available laboratory analytical equipment for the use with neutrons. The equipment includes potentiostats for electrochemistry, optical spectrometers (FT-IR, UV/VIS, Raman) and gas characterization instrumentation (mass spectrometry, gas analysis).  Once ESS is in operation in a few years from now, these characterization methods will be used during in-situ experiments on the neutron scattering instruments. In order to plan for that, sample cells for these methods will need to be designed and/or adjusted to the demands of neutron scattering. You will work with the FLUCO work unit leader to develop and test the sample cells in the laboratory and if needed on neutron scattering instruments. Writing documentation of the altered equipment including safety analysis as well as initiating – when necessary – the safety certification of the equipment are part of the job. Similarly, you will be required to participate in fitting, maintaining and operating the corresponding sample environment workshop spaces. Due to the strong link between these sample environment systems and equipment for the chemistry laboratories, you will work up to 50% with the team for ‘Sample and User Laboratories (SULF).

Later-on the work will increasingly shift towards ESS’ operations when visiting scientists and students (users) will come to the ESS to perform neutron scattering experiments. The responsibilities will then be split between keeping up-to-date with development of lab instrumentation, setting up the developed sample environment equipment on the instruments and helping the users operating it. Training for such operational tasks early on is essential to support the hot commissioning of instruments and to ensure science success.

Required qualifications:

You have a bachelor-level qualification or at least 2 years of education in chemistry / laboratory work supplying a strong background in chemistry to support the link between sample environment and the chemistry laboratories and to educate FLUCO technical personnel on relevant chemical topics. With master-level qualification and as the team grows there is a future development possibility for the role of an engineer.

Excellence in soft skills is needed. More precisely, we expect:

  *   experience in using laboratory characterization equipment
  *   experience in handling chemicals including hazardous chemicals and gases
  *   fundamental knowledge of chemistry and chemical equipment (making standard solutions, setting up glassware, dealing with waste)
  *   willingness and curiosity to learn new analytical techniques not only through classes but also self-taught and by trial-and-error methods if needed
  *   good communication skills
  *   good knowledge of spoken and written English
  *   experience in spectroscopy is a plus
  *   experience in lab management is a plus
  *   didactic skills are a plus

A pro-active way of working and being able to multi-task are essential. Interacting skillfully with people and working well in a team are important. Although this is not a research job it opens the possibility to develop new tools and test them in a scientific environment. Furthermore, the required support given to users from all nations and backgrounds during their neutron scattering experiments opens up the possibility to learn about a wide variety of applications of in-situ measurement methods and the satisfaction of helping the user to scientific success.

At ESS it will be as important to be able to work independently and push the work forward as it will be needed to function well in international teams. You need to be able to work in a workplace continuously changing and to keep calm. Preference will be given to candidates with hands-on experience from existing facilities.

The evaluation will be based on technical qualification. However, it is important that you recognize the value of consulting others in order to succeed. A development project such as this requires the ability to adapt and cope with changing circumstances and as working in an international environment will challenge your ability to handle cultural diversity, it is important that you have successfully managed this in previous employments. Experience of working in an international environment is essential and we expect you to be fluent in written and spoken English.

As a person you are positive, open minded, creative, organized and motivated. You need to be able to cope with projects in development, which can involve changing project directions and frames. To make all interests meet it is important to be able to both listen to input, but still to be able to make decision to move forward.

Duration & Location
The position is permanent with six months initial probationary period, the position is to be filled as soon as possible. Your work place will be situated in Lund, Sweden.

Application & Contact
Please provide your curriculum vitae and cover letter in English by clicking on “apply” and following the instructions. Please note we only accept applications via the ESS website. The deadline for applying to this position is April 14, 2019.

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

For further information regarding the position, please contact the Hiring Manager, Arno Hiess, arno.hiess[at]esss.se.

For further information regarding the recruitment process, please contact HR Officer, Sara Margaryan, sara.margaryan[at]esss.se.

For trade union information please contact Unionen / Mikael Johansson at +46 46 888 32 51 or SACO / Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers/ Riccardo Bevilacqua at +46 46 888 32 28.

We look forward to receiving your application.

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