Doctoral Student in Physics: Generation of ultra-short light pulses with Accelerators (MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

PRISMAS - PhD Research and Innovation in Synchrotron Methods and Applications in Sweden – is a new doctoral network training the next generation of 40 leading synchrotron experts, and is co-funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND Programme.

As a PRISMAS PhD student, you will have the chance to conduct cutting-edge research in your field, taking advantage of state of the art tools that will lead to attractive future job opportunities in academia or industry. Moreover, you are part of designing the future of synchrotron technology and instrumentation and using these to tackle some of the most significant global challenges the world faces today while acquiring interdisciplinary and intersectoral knowledge. Being part of the PRISMAS programme gives you the one-of-a-kind experience in form of a secondment at the world´s first 4th generation synchrotron, MAX IV in Lund, Sweden. With a tailored training programme, including courses to build scientific and technical competence as well as strengthen transferrable skills, PRISMAS provides you with the skills, knowledge and competence needed to successfully achieve your doctoral degree.

Description of the workplace (“Your Team”)

The position will be in the accelerator group within the division of Synchrotron radiation research (www.sljus.lu.se) at the Physics department. The group is embedded in the MAX IV laboratory, sharing office location and participating in various forms in the lab activities.

The research group consists at the moment of a professor, an associate professor and a PhD student, embedded both in a larger group at the department of Physics and in the accelerator development group at the MAX IV laboratory. This project will be especially linked to the linac team composed of half-dozen physicists and with close collaborations with the operator group and the RF group.

The research group has decennial experience in accelerators, spanning from storage rings to linear accelerator, with focus on synchrotron light sources and Free Electron lasers. The PI has driven the FEL part in the conceptual design of the proposed SXL (soft Xray laser) at MAX IV and focused on different aspects of seeding schemes for FELs. Previously the PI worked in other European facilities, like Elettra in Trieste and FLASH at DESY. The group has collaborations via FELs of Europe with other European laboratories. 

Accelerator Physics | Division of Synchrotron Radiation Research (lu.se)

References 

Francesca Curbis – Research output — Lund University

What we offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Benefits for employees | Lund University

The MSCA COFUND project PRISMAS offers you outstanding opportunities as well as a stimulating and inspiring surrounding for performing cutting-edge research. By supporting your mobility, it creates perfect conditions for strengthening your international network.

Work duties and responsibilities

The project aims to generate, develop and study future concepts in the generation of ultra-short pulses in linac based sources. A number of different techniques have already been proposed, involving very strong electron pulse compression, Free Electron Laser (FEL) based techniques or a combination of compression and FEL schemes. The proposed project will start by exploring the capabilities in current accelerator and FEL systems. The focus will be on electron beam pulse compression and possibly over-compression, and how these beam properties can be retained. Requirements on present and future diagnostics will be explored. From this, new concepts for even shorter pulses, 100s of attoseconds, using FEL techniques will be studied and developed.

In the first phase of the project, the MAX IV linac will be a crucial system to study very strong compression. The transverse deflecting cavity (TDC) diagnostics system, soon to be commissioned, will give capabilities to study the compressed electron bunches with high temporal resolution. The studies will be supported by simulations. The second phase of the project can preferably include measurements and studies of concepts at operating FEL facilities, such as FERMI@Elettra or FLASH at DESY. The methods developed here will both improve the operation capabilities at MAX IV, and advance the field of attosecond pulse generation.

Measurements at MAX IV can be carried out during accelerator beamtime, spread over the 4 years period. The PhD student will benefit of being close to the accelerator development group at MAX IV, giving insight in various accelerator research conducted at the laboratory.

The main task for the doctoral student will be to conduct research education which includes work with research but also completing graduate courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties to a maximum of 20 %.

The successful candidate will be given opportunity to assist in the supervision of master students.

The activities are placed at the MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University. Visits and experiments at other laboratories may occur. Participation in summer schools and national and international conferences is encouraged.

The training implies a secondment of 3-12 months at MAX IV laboratories in Lund, Sweden. Additional secondments and/or short stays may be arranged in agreement with the supervisor of the research project. Moreover, you will attend international conferences, participate in periodical project meetings and training schools as well as in specialised courses at different universities to complement your knowledge.  A certain amount of travelling is foreseen in relation to these activities.

Qualifications

Selection to postgraduate studies is based on the expected ability to perform well in the studies. The evaluation of the ability to perform well is based primarily on the results of studies at the basic and advanced levels. In particular, you have:

• knowledge and skills relevant for the thesis project,
• good written and oral communication skills,
• very good oral and written proficiency in English
• the ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems,
• other experience relevant to postgraduate studies, such as professional experience.

It is an additional qualification if you have:

• Experience on accelerator physics or free electron lasers
• Knowledge of Python or other programming languages
• Experience with accelerator simulations is an advantage
• Experience in beam diagnostics

Eligibility criteria

To comply with the mobility rule of the MSCA COFUND programme, you are eligible if you have not resided in Sweden for more than 12 months during the period 2020-10-30 to 2023-10-31 for work or studies as main occupation.

By the employment date (before 01/03/2024) you must have completed courses of at least 240 credits, of which at least 60 credits are from second-cycle courses, have been awarded a Master´s degree or have acquired largely equivalent knowledge in some other way, in Sweden or abroad.

In addition to the criteria mentioned above, you must have fulfilled a second cycle education in a relevant field, such as Physics.

You are eligible for the PRISMAS programme, if you qualify for a doctoral candidacy, i.e., are not already in possession of a doctoral degree.

Job assignments

The position is a full-time, fixed term employment for four years, forseen to start on 1/9/2023. Admission to the doctoral studies takes place at the respective University. 

The holder of this position has a primary obligation to successfully fulfil her or his postgraduate (third cycle) education, which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses, ending with a doctoral degree (PhD). A position as doctoral student can contain some limited (max. 20%) teaching or other departmental work at the Department of Physics. In this case, the position is extended accordingly, up to a maximum of 5 years. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted via the VARBI and must include the following documents:

• CV in Europass format
• A two-page cover letter, justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications as well as the prioritization in case of applying to several PRISMAS positions.
• at least one reference letter
• an evidence of English 3 proficiency (minimum B2 level)
• Copy of academic records (including marks for all coursework) with a transcript of diploma in English, and
• any other document to which you would like to draw attention (details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.)

All documents should be uploaded (pdf) in the job application portal. Exam certificates and other documents on paper should be scanned or photographed before being uploaded.

In regard to incomplete applications (especially if lacking the abovementioned documents), the PRISMAS Management reserves the right to exclude them in the selection process, without any additional notification to the applicant.

The application will be evaluated based on scientific excellence, the adequacy of your career plan and your thesis project as well as your research experience.

Details on the novel, unique and common selection process for all the PRISMAS positions can be found here: How to apply – MAX IV (lu.se)

Contact

For more detailed information on the position or the research project, please contact: Francesca Curbis (Associate Professor, PI of the project), francesca.curbis@maxiv.lu.se

For questions on the employment conditions and the university, please contact: Anne Petersson Jungbeck (HR administrator), anne.petersson-jungbeck@fysik.lu.se

If you have questions on the selection process, please contact: prismas@maxiv.lu.se