PhD Student in Instrumentation for Precision Nuclear Physics (M/F)

Job Description

Thesis Subject

The HINA project aims to develop a compact and cost-effective facility dedicated to the production and study of highly charged ions (HCIs) of unstable isotopes, in order to explore their nuclear decay and its implications for nuclear astrophysics and fundamental interactions. Once operational, HINA will offer a unique platform in France, complementing the new DESIR facility at GANIL, where the device is to be installed.

Studies of the nuclear decay of highly charged ions have been carried out almost exclusively on the GSI storage ring, an exceptional but expensive and heavily used facility. Until now, research at GSI has been mainly limited to heavy nuclei. HINA proposes an alternative: a dedicated, low-energy electron beam ion trap (EBIT) optimized for the production of highly charged ions of light nuclei that remain beyond the reach of storage rings. This EBIT, a central element of the project, will enable systematic studies of nuclear decay in low-electron systems (H-, He-, and Li- ions), where simplified atomic structures allow for the emergence of rare decay channels such as orbital electron capture (EEC). These decay modes constitute sensitive probes of nuclear structure and, potentially, of parity non-conservation effects, as well as in cosmic rays.

The entire HINA device will combine the EBIT with a Zajfman trap and a stable ion source for calibration, allowing for the controlled production, charge amplification, trapping, and study of the decay of selected isotopes.

The PhD student, recruited for a three-year period starting in October 2026, will play a central role in the commissioning and validation of the HINA device, from technical testing to full operation. A significant portion of the work will be carried out at the Max Planck Institute, where the PhD candidate will validate the performance of the EBIT and participate in experiments using highly charged ions. The main scientific objective of the thesis will be to demonstrate the feasibility of charge amplification for isotopes relevant to future DESIR experiments, with a particular focus on establishing and optimizing dielectric recombination in the HINA-EBIT.

Beyond the technical developments, the PhD candidate will lead the analysis and interpretation of data from the initial experimental campaigns, contribute to scientific publications, and present the results at national and international conferences.

Your Work Environment

The Irène Joliot-Curie Laboratory of Physics of the Two Infinities (IJCLab, UMR 9012) is a joint research unit under the supervision of the CNRS, Université Paris-Saclay, and Université Paris Cité. Created in 2020 through the merger of several long-established laboratories on the Orsay campus, it is one of the largest physics laboratories in Europe, with nearly 800 permanent staff and a strong instrumental development capacity, supported by approximately 280 engineers and technicians specializing in mechanics, electronics, computer science, instrumentation, and acceleration techniques. The laboratory also boasts leading research infrastructure and technological platforms, providing a particularly favorable scientific and technical environment for conducting ambitious experimental projects.

The research activities of IJCLab cover nuclear physics, high-energy physics, astroparticle physics and cosmology, theoretical physics, particle accelerators and detectors, as well as technological developments and their applications in the fields of energy, health, and the environment.

The doctoral candidate will be enrolled in the PHENIICS Doctoral School (Physics: Hadrons, Energy, Nuclei, Instrumentation, Imaging, Cosmos, and Simulation) at Université Paris-Saclay. This doctoral school brings together the main laboratories in the Île-de-France region in particle physics, nuclear physics, astrophysics, instrumentation, and related sciences, and offers an internationally recognized training environment, combining advanced scientific training, an openness to innovation, and strong interdisciplinary interactions.

The PhD project will be carried out within the Nuclear Physics department of the IJCLab, in the FIIRST team, under the supervision of Sarah Naimi, a specialist in nuclear spectroscopy and ion trapping techniques. The PhD candidate will also join the local team developing trapping experiments and will benefit from a highly collaborative research environment.

This work is part of an international collaboration bringing together several leading laboratories in the field of ion trapping techniques and precision nuclear physics, including LP2I Bordeaux, LPC Caen, the IJCLab, as well as the Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics (MPIK) and the University of Heidelberg in Germany. These collaborations provide access to cutting-edge experimental infrastructure, complementary expertise, and an international scientific network, fostering exchanges, research trips, and participation in international conferences.

The doctoral candidate will benefit from a stimulating work environment, combining scientific expertise, experimental resources, and high-level technical support, to successfully conduct a research project at the frontier of precision nuclear physics and advanced trapping techniques.

IJCLab bases its recruitment policy on the promotion of equality, diversity, and inclusion. These values are essential elements of staff professional development and contribute to collective success and the laboratory's scientific reputation.

Constraints and risks

The PhD position will be affiliated with the PHENIICS Doctoral School at Université Paris-Saclay.

Part of the experimental work will be carried out at the TANCREDE facility of the IJCLab's MOSAIC platform, located on the Orsay campus. The project also involves an international collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Kernphysik (MPIK, Heidelberg, Germany), where extended stays, ranging from several weeks to a few months, will be required during the PhD. Regular travel within France and abroad to participate in experiments, collaborative meetings, and scientific conferences is also expected.

The position involves specific constraints related to conducting experiments in an environment subject to regulations concerning ionizing radiation. The PhD candidate must be authorized to work in a supervised and controlled area and comply with applicable radiation protection, safety, and security regulations. The necessary regulatory training will be provided upon commencement of employment.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2300 € gross monthly

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions