Position: Laser-driven wakefield accelerator control and optimisation
Title: CNRS Post-Doctoral Fellow
Department: Laboratoire Physique des 2 Infinis Irène Joliot Curie (IJClab) / Accelerator department
Location: Orsay, France
Duration: 18-24 months
We are pleased to announce a Post-Doctoral Fellowship position at IJClab in compact and high repetition rate laser wakefield accelerator optimization. This exciting opportunity involves a unique blend of simulation and experimental work, offering a dynamic environment for cutting-edge research and innovation. We are looking for a person with a simulations or/and experimental background.
Project Description:
The successful candidate will be integral to our research team optimizing laser wakefield electron accelerator systems. IJClab is currently commissioning a new laser-plasma injector, PALLAS to produce 200 MeV electrons with a relatively low energy spread and emittance and push the technological development to make laser-plasma accelerator control and reliability comparable to conventional RF accelerators. The project encompasses both simulation and experimental aspects, aiming to push the boundaries of accelerator technology. The focus will be enhancing laser wakefield accelerators’ efficiency, stability, and performance.
Key Responsibilities :
- Conduct advanced particle-in-cell simulations to model and optimize laser wakefield acceleration processes.
- Work on the application and development of machine learning algorithms for the post-processing of experimental data to better understand the operation of the accelerator, develop surrogate models and test control and feedback loops.
- Collaborate with inside the EuPRAXIA-PP collaboration for high repetition rate plasma target develop, design, set up, and perform experiments of qualification of new target and explore novel approaches.
Work context and team:
The Irène Joliot-Curie Physics Laboratory of 2 Infinities (IJCLab) is a UMR under the supervision of the CNRS (IN2P3), the University of Paris-Saclay and the University of Paris is located on the campus of the University of Paris -Saclay in Orsay. The laboratory is located on the campus of the Université Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay in Orsay. The campus is located 20 km south of Paris and accessible by RER in 35 minutes. IJCLab was born in 2020 from the merger of five units (CSNSM, IMNC, IPN, LAL, LPT). The staff comprises nearly 560 permanent (340 engineers, technicians, administrators, 220 researchers and teacher-researchers) and approximately 200 non-permanent, including 120 doctoral students. The research themes of the laboratory are nuclear physics, high energy physics, theoretical physics, Astroparticles, astrophysics and cosmology, particle accelerators, energy and the environment and health. IJCLab has significant technical capacities (around 280 IT) in all the major fields required to design, develop/implement the experimental devices necessary for its scientific activity, as well as the design, development, and use of instruments.
The fellow will join the new team ALPHA (Accelerator Laser-Plasma Harmonics and Applications). The ALPHA team consists of about five permanent staff and several PhD students. The team has developed a world-class expertise in laser-electron and laser-ultra-intense matter interaction with participation in numerous experiments. The team oversees the 50TW laser facility at the University of Paris Saclay.
This project, funded by Université Paris Saclay, ANR-PIA3 and CNRS-IN2P3 gathers the IJClab LLR, LP2IB laboratories. This project is a part of the EUPRAXIA preparatory phase and European effort to increase the technological readiness of laser-plasma accelerators.
Qualifications:
Ph.D. in Physics, Engineering, Computing Science or an Engineer.
- Strong background in at least one or two topics: accelerator physics, laser-matter interactions, plasma physics, and computing science.
- Experience using optimisation algorithms (genetic algorithm, Bayesian algorithm, etc.).
- Experience in multi-physics simulations, CFD and material science is welcomed.
- Proficiency in simulation tools such as PIC code FBPIC, SMILEI and beam tracking code.
- Experience with experimental setups or numerical studies related to laser wakefield acceleration.
- Excellent skills in Python and or C++
- Good English level. Knowledge of French is not necessary.
Benefits:
Competitive salary commensurate with experience varying between 2992,93 and 4204,22 € grossly month.
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources.
- Opportunities for professional development and networking.
- Collaborative and stimulating research environment.
Application Process:
Interested candidates should submit the following documents to kevin.cassou@jclab.in2p3.fr and sophie.kazamias@universite-paris-saclay.fr:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) including contact information for three professional references and relevant publications.
- Cover letter outlining research experience and motivation for applying.
In the meantime, an online application is required on the CNRS portal here.
The deadline for applications is 30/06/2024. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.
We look forward to welcoming a highly motivated and talented individual to contribute to groundbreaking research in electron accelerator laser wakefield optimization.