Detector Scientist

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.

The ILL's Neutron Detector Service (SDN) is responsible for the development and fabrication of neutron detectors for the Institute's instruments. It has been collaborating for several decades with other research centres to develop new techniques or respond to external requests, and it has played a major role in the emergence of new detector technologies, such as MSGCs (Micro-Strip Gas Chambers), and Boron-layer detectors like the Multiblade and Multigrid. More recently, the trench-MWPC (Multi Wire Proportional Chamber) technique has demonstrated a significant performance gain compared to classical MWPCs; this technique is currently being deployed on several instruments to replace MSGCs and traditional MWPCs.

You will join the ILL detector laboratory team to develop the detector for the CSPEC instrument at the European Spallation Source (ESS) in Sweden. This project is being carried out in close collaboration with the ESS detector team. The CSPEC detector uses modular Multitube technology and consists of several hundred position-sensitive proportional counters, each measuring 3.5 metres in length.

Responsibilities

1. Develop and implement a rigorous testing protocol to ensure the manufacturing compliance of each of the 12 modules
2. Draft detailed measurement reports
3. Adhere to the module delivery schedule
4. Conduct a measurement campaign on a neutron beam to optimise the composition of the detection gas (a mixture of Argon, CO₂, and Helium-3) with the objective of minimising signal dead time.
5. Refine the localisation algorithm to reduce background noise caused by simultaneous events.
6. Present results in project coordination meetings and at scientific conferences.
7. Contribute to research activities on other detector developments, particularly a recently introduced concept that integrates a scintillator coupled with Silicon Photo-Multipliers (SiPMs).

Your Profile

1. PhD in scientific instrumentation, nuclear physics, or particle/astroparticle physics; Master's degree (or equivalent) in applied physics, instrumentation, or electronics.
2. Practical experience in the physics of radiation detectors (MWPC, MPGD, scintillator, SiPM).
3. Strong knowledge of fast analog electronics, signal processing, data acquisition, and data analysis.
4. Experience in Monte Carlo simulations for detector modelling.
5. Proficiency in C and Python programming.
6. Hands-on approach with a high level of autonomy.
7. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
8. Excellent writing skills for drafting procedures, technical specifications, and reports.
9. Team spirit, versatility, and initiative.

What We Offer

Quality of life: A hub for research and technology, the city of Grenoble is 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 contract in a multicultural scientific environment. 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.

Sounds interesting? Then why not take your next career step with us by applying online - preferably in English - via our career portal by 20.04.2025, quoting reference number 25/20 with a list of publications and the names of 3 referees, including one from your present workplace. Please note that all applicants are subject to administrative screening (background checks) and that medical fitness for work under ionising radiation is required. We are committed to equal opportunities and diversity and therefore welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates.

The Institut Laue-Langevin is an international research centre at the leading edge of neutron science and technology.