Research Scientist: Ultra Cold Neutrons

Grenoble, France

Unspecified

Core mission

The Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), situated in Grenoble, France, is Europe's leading research facility for scientific research using neutrons. Every year, we host over 2000 visits by scientists, who come to the Institute to carry out world-class research.

Working within the Nuclear and Particle Physics (NPP) Group, you will be involved in the operation and optimization of the new Ultra-Cold Neutron (UCN) source SuperSUN as its 'first Instrument Responsible'. You will have the opportunity to explore the scientific possibilities of world leading cold, very-cold, and ultra-cold neutron sources.

Your tasks

Assure a reliable operation of SuperSUN. This includes management and documentation of interventions from different ILL services and assuring compliance of the instrument.
Perform measurements for instrument characterization, develop new instrumentation for UCN transport, storage and spectroscopy; work on data acquisition, analysis and scientific evaluation.
Collaborate with users to optimize the performance of SuperSUN for specific scientific tasks. The current user experiment, PanEDM, has the goal to measure the static electric dipole moment of the neutron with unprecedented accuracy.
Pursue a personal research program, by developing own ideas, proposing experiments, fostering scientific collaborations, and preparation of scientific publications.
Promote and support current and future experimental programs

Further information can be obtained by contacting the Head of the NPP group: Dr. Michael Jentschel (please do not send your application to this address).

Your profile

PhD in physics, preferably in experimental nuclear or particle physics.
High motivation, curiosity in science and technology, strong organizational skills.
Solid experience and strong interest in developments of scientific instrumentation.
Experience in special techniques related to the scope of UCN physics (neutron optics, cryogenics, characterization of surfaces, vacuum techniques etc.) would be highly welcome.

What we offer

Quality of life

This position is based in Grenoble, a hub for research and technology, ideally located in the heart of the French Alps (just 3 hours from Paris/Provence by train, 1 hour from Lyon international airport and 1 ½ hours from Geneva). It is important for us that our staff achieve a healthy work-life balance. We therefore offer home working (under certain conditions), generous annual paid leave entitlement and a host of other benefits that you will discover when you arrive!

Prospects

We guarantee you a stable 5-year fixed-term contract position in a multicultural scientific environment.

Benefits

We offer generous social benefits (expatriation allowance, excellent health cover), moving and relocation assistance (under certain conditions) and an annual productivity bonus. We also offer language courses for you and your partner and subsidies for the use of public transport and the staff canteen, as well as for holidays and a variety of cultural and sports activities. For more details, visit https://www.ill.eu/careers/working-at-the-ill/employment-conditions.

Sounds interesting?

Then why not take your next career step with us by applying online - preferably in English - via our career portal quoting reference number 26/18, with a list of publications and the names of 3 referees, including one from your present work place. This vacancy will remain open until we have found the ideal candidate, so do not hesitate to apply as soon as possible. Please note that all applicants are subject to administrative screening. For this post, medical fitness for work under ionising radiation and that medical fitness is required.

We are committed to equal opportunities and diversity and therefore welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

Job details

Title

Research Scientist: Ultra Cold Neutrons

Employer

Institut Laue-Langevin

Location

71 avenue des Martyrs Grenoble, France

Published

2026-04-21

Application deadline

Unspecified