The Paul Scherrer Institute PSI is the largest research institute for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. We perform cutting-edge research in the fields of future technologies, energy and climate, health innovation and fundamentals of nature. By performing fundamental and applied research, we work on sustainable solutions for major challenges facing society, science and economy. PSI is committed to the training of future generations. Therefore, about one quarter of our staff are post-docs, post-graduates or apprentices. Altogether, PSI employs 2300 people.

For the PSI Center for Accelerator Science and Engineering we are looking for a

Trainee in radiation effect on ReBCO superconductors

Your tasks
PSI is running the world’s most powerful proton accelerator with a maximum current of 2.4 mA and a beam power of 1.4 MW. Due to the high beam current, there are areas with high losses that are subjected to a substantial amount of radiation. Since these losses typically occur near the main beamline, the bending magnets and quadrupoles of the beamlines are subject to this radiation as well. DPA-related (displacements per atom) effects in the superconductor are typically expected if the neutron fluence reaches 1022 n/m2.

An experimental campaign is needed to find out whether HTS superconducting magnets are compatible with the radioactive environment of the PSI proton accelerator. The goal of the experiment is to place a superconducting magnet in a strongly irradiated spot, to measure the corresponding integrated dose and to monitor online its performance in terms of critical current. The experimental results will then be compared with literature data and simulation results to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the degradation of the superconducting performance and the feasibility of using superconducting magnets in the PSI proton accelerator.

The main tasks related to the internship are:

• Conduct a literature survey on the state of research on radiation effect on superconductors
• Contribute to:
  o Design a demonstration coil wound with HTS tape to be exposed to radiation
  o Improve the experimental setup to wind the coil(s)
  o Wind a demonstrator
  o Define the measurement procedure and the required instrumentation

Your profile

• You are a student in engineering or physics, and you are at least in your first year of Master study
• Knowledge in radiation protection, heat transfer and preparation of experimental setups
• As a team‐oriented and communicative person you enjoy working in an interdisciplinary group
• Good English knowledge is required
• You have not yet completed your Master’s thesis

We offer
Our institution is based on an interdisciplinary, innovative and dynamic collaboration.

This contract will be limited to 3 months.

For further information, please contact Dr Ciro Calzolaio, phone +41 56 310 26 45, or Alexander Gabard, phone +41 56 310 35 77.

Please submit your application online for the position as a Trainee (index no. 8431-T2).

Paul Scherrer Institute, Human Resources Management, Lara Essig, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland, www.psi.ch