Arbetsbeskrivning

A unique leadership role at the heart of one of the world’s most powerful accelerators.

The European Spallation Source (ESS) is one of the largest science and technology infrastructure projects being built today. Our goal is to become the brightest source of neutrons for science and technology and be operational by the end of this decade. A state-of-the-art suite of neutron scattering instruments will be made available to address a wide range of scientific fields in fundamental and materials science. Powered by the world’s most advanced linear proton accelerator, ESS will enable cutting-edge research in materials science, energy, health, and the environment for decades to come.

Join us in shaping the future of science - from the ground up.

About the role:

Beam diagnostics is central to everything we do: neutron production, user access, machine protection, commissioning, optimisation, and upgrades. The beam diagnostics group provides the measurements and systems that allow the accelerator to be operated safely, tuned effectively, and protected from damage.

We are excited to begin the search for a new Beam Diagnostics Group Leader to take full technical and line management responsibility for the Beam Diagnostics Group within the Accelerator Division. This is a high impact leadership role with direct responsibility for delivery, staff performance, and operational readiness of diagnostics systems across the ESS linac.

This position is suited to an experienced accelerator professional who combines deep technical credibility with decisive, delivery focused leadership. It is a full-time, permanent role based at the brand-new https://youtu.be/d5h4bIEfM5Q?si=W28A9wLAkYK3HOXJ.

As Beam Diagnostics Group Leader, you will:

• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary team of scientists, engineers, software developers, and technicians.
• Manage a team of expert staff with clarity and authority, establishing clear priorities, roles, and accountability.
• Provide technical authority and oversight for beam diagnostics systems.
• Make and own technical decisions, including scope and schedule adjustments where required.
• Ensure diagnostics systems meet the demands of high availability, reliability, and machine protection.
• Lead the transition from commissioning activities into stable, sustainable operations.
• Support accelerator operations with diagnostics expertise, beam studies, and fault analysis.
• Drive preparation for future accelerator upgrades and improvements.
• Represent the group towards the accelerator management team and our international in-kind partners.
• Ensure a safe, compliant, and professional work environment.

You will interface closely with Accelerator Operations, the Integrated Control Systems group, Radiation Protection, and the Target Division to ensure diagnostics are fully integrated into operational workflows.

This role comes with real responsibility. You will inherit a highly expert, diverse team with strong individual competencies and a clear need for:

• Stronger leadership presence.
• Clear priorities and accountability.
• A delivery-focused mindset.
• Enhanced integration with the wider Accelerator Division.

We are there looking for a leader who can earn trust through technical credibility, but who is also comfortable setting direction, making decisions, and holding people accountable.

About you:

The ideal candidate for this role will demonstrate strong accelerator diagnostics expertise and proven line management capability. To succeed, you will need a pragmatic, delivery driven leadership style capable of stabilising and leading a complex multidisciplinary team in a high availability operational environment. We need a technically credible leader with a strong operational mindset.

Therefore, you must bring:

• A PhD in accelerator physics, beam physics, particle physics, or a closely related field.
• Substantial experience with beam diagnostics and beam instrumentation.
• A solid understanding of accelerator physics in an operational environment.
• Proven line management experience of multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience delivering complex technical systems to milestones and schedules.
• Confidence in making pragmatic decisions and the conviction to know when good enough is good enough.
• Experience working close to operations, machine protection, and control systems.
• A leadership style that balances collaboration with decisiveness.

Experience with EPICS, data acquisition systems, FPGA based diagnostics, or accelerator upgrades is an advantage, but is not essential. What matters most is your ability to lead people and deliver results.

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, please 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. Apply as soon as you can and quote the job reference number ESD-73807 in your application.

This role requires additional background screening processes and health and safety checks, which will be performed during the recruitment process.

To request a full information packet about this prestigious appointment, please contact Daniel Nordin Baker via mailto:[email protected].

For trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Nerusha Naicker on mailto:erusha. [email protected] or SACO/Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers representative Marc Kickulies at mailto:[email protected]