Beam Physicist (BE-ABP-CAP-2026-51-GRAP)

You will work on electromagnetic simulations for wake field and beam coupling impedance studies in accelerator components as well as their coupling with beam dynamics.

A key objective of the project is the further development of Wakis, an open-source wakefield simulation code available on GitHub, including the implementation of new features, benchmarking against commercial EM solvers, and validation on realistic accelerator geometries using bench measurements of different types. An optimised interface of Wakis with the beam dynamics code Xsuite will be also developed.

This project will naturally require you to also contribute to the supervision and technical support of students, gaining experience in mentoring within an international research environment.

The work will therefore combine computational and applied electromagnetics, accelerator physics, and scientific software development within a team.

Your responsibilities:

• Design, implement, and validate new features and numerical methods within Wakis.
• Coordinate and prioritise development activities in collaboration with supervisors and users.
• Perform electromagnetic simulations of accelerator components for wakefield and beam coupling impedance studies.
• Benchmark Wakis results against commercial EM solvers and analytical models.
• Contribute to the construction, validation, and maintenance of impedance models for CERN accelerators.
• Support and technically supervise junior students working on Wakis-related simulation tasks.
• Review contributions from other developers and assist with code integration and testing.
• Improve documentation, examples, and user workflows for Wakis.
• Present progress and results in internal meetings and working groups.

Your profile:

• Solid background in electromagnetics and/or computational physics.
• Numerical simulations and scientific computing.
• Familiarity with Git and collaborative software development workflow.
• Open-source software development.
• Knowledge of accelerator physics, wakefields, or beam coupling impedance is an asset.

Skills:

• Knowledge of electromagnetic simulation tools (e.g. CST, HFSS, COMSOL, or similar).
• Programming experience in Python.
• Familiarity with numerical methods and scientific computing.
• Problem solving mindset and ability to learn new tools quickly.
• Good communication skills and willingness to support and mentor junior students.
• Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of the other language.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Physics, Engineering (or a related field) and have either:
  • a Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience;
  • or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 06.04.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Hybrid

Target start date: 01-June-2026

Job reference: BE-ABP-CAP-2026-51-GRAP

Field of work: Applied Physics

Benchmark job: 100020 - Research Physicist

Global Benefits

• A monthly stipend between 6372-7004 Swiss Francs per month (tax free) depending on your degree.
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances.
• A relocation package (installation grant and travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
• Possibility to extend your contract up to 36 months.
• On-the-job and formal training including language classes.

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