The European Spallation Source (ESS) will soon be the world’s most powerful source of neutrons, providing researchers with unique opportunities to explore the structure of materials at the atomic level. Neutron scattering at ESS will address critical questions in physics, chemistry, geology, materials science and life science.
About the role
Within the Science Directorate, the Scientific Support Division provides the ESS neutron science program with experimental support including sample environments, user laboratories, deuteration, and hall coordination in close collaboration with Instrument Divisions.
The Sample Environment group at ESS is preparing to support all ESS neutron instruments by developing, assembling and integrating a broad range of specialized equipment for achieving both very low and very high temperatures, high magnetic fields, high pressure, vacuum, gas or liquid flow, lasers, and in many cases, automated systems. Once ESS transitions into operations in early 2027, we will provide operational support for all sample environments on the instruments in close collaboration with scientists, as well as continuing the development of new sample environments.
We are now seeking a Sample Environment Engineer to support the development, commissioning and the operations of high temperature furnaces, as well as related gas handling and pressurized gas systems. In this role, you will be responsible for delivering sample environment projects in these areas, working in close collaboration with other members of the Sample environment group as well as academic research groups to develop new equipment and provide operational support for early science experiments at ESS. As part of this role, you will specifically develop new sample environments in collaboration with the universities participating in the ESS Early Science Initiative project “Sustainable and functional materials from local resources” funded by the Swedish Research Council.
Day-to-day, you will:
Specify, design, develop and procure equipment for high temperature/gas handling and pressurized sample environment systems.
Work with academic researchers to develop technical specifications and propose solutions and designs to meet scientific requirements.
Assemble, integrate and commission sample environments and associated equipment.
Install, operate, maintain and repair high temperature/gas handling/pressurized systems and related equipment.
Collaborate with ESS instrument teams and academic user groups to establish specifications and priorities for new high temperature/gas handling/pressurized systems.
Provide operational sample environment support for the ESS instruments including on-call support.
Provide expert experiment safety reviews for user proposals and carry out safety testing of user-supplied equipment.
Collaborate with ESS instrument teams, users, and sample environment groups at other large-scale facilities to further develop high temperature/gas handling/pressurized sample environment equipment and technologies.
Participate in the setting-up, maintenance and operation of the sample environment workshops and facilities.
This is a full-time, fixed-term position for around 3 years based at ESS Campus in Lund, Sweden.
About you
You have up to an MSc level degree in an engineering subject (e.g. mechanical, materials or metallurgical engineering) with relevance to this position, which focuses on the development and practical realization of high temperature and pressurized gas handling systems for scientific measurements. Previous experience of design as well as hands-on work experience with high-temperature equipment and gas handling/pressurised gas systems is required. You also have previous experience of mechanical assembly, maintenance and repairs, as well as relevant knowledge of material behavior at high temperatures and hazards involved in pressurized gas systems.
Experience of developing scientific or technical equipment involving controlling or monitoring temperature, mass, gas pressure or other experimental parameters would be considered particularly beneficial for this role. Experience with additional techniques including vacuum welding, brazing, wiring, light sheet metal work, and tube bending is also regarded as a merit, as are basic machining skills. Knowledge of control systems and programming would be an advantage, but not a requirement.
You are accustomed to working with scientists as well as technicians to define and deliver projects and support operating equipment. You take as much pride in designing engineering solutions to meet scientific requirements as providing hands-on practical solutions to equipment problems, and approach all tasks with a collaborative, service-oriented mind-set. You are eager to learn new things, adapt quickly, and interested in contributing across a variety of tasks besides your core area of competence. A genuine interest in designing as well as building, repairing, or improving experimental equipment is vital. Prior work in a sample environment group or large-scale facility working with high temperature furnaces would be considered a merit, but is not essential.
To apply:
A career at ESS gives you the opportunity to contribute to the future discoveries within neutron science at a stunning, brand-new workplace filled with innovative minds and brilliant people from across the globe. We offer market competitive, individualised compensation which is differentiated according to role, responsibilities, individual skills, abilities and achievements as well as monthly pension contributions on top of your salary.
If you see yourself in what we’re looking for, provide your CV and motivation letter in English by clicking on “apply” and following the instructions. Please be aware that we can only accept direct applications made via the ESS website. The last date for receiving applications is August 14th.
For further information regarding the position, please contact Talent Acquisition Specialist Sofie Berg on sofie.berg@ess.eu or Hiring Manager Hanna Wacklin-Knecht on hanna.wacklin-knecht@ess.eu
For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process in general, please follow this link: https://europeanspallationsource.se/careersFor trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Nerusha Naicker on Nerusha.Naicker@ess.eu or SACO/Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers representative Marc Kickulies at Marc.Kickulies@ess.eu