You will contribute to the preparation of a world-leading plasma accelerator experiment within an international collaboration. The project focuses on advanced simulation and modelling for Run 2 of the AWAKE experiment, scheduled to restart proton-beam operations in 2029 after CERN's Long Shutdown 3. You will develop, benchmark and apply state-of-the-art plasma wakefield simulation tools to model beam-plasma interactions, including AWAKE's long proton drive bunches and high-quality electron acceleration. Tasks include optimisation studies, parameter scans, and start-to-end simulations, as well as exploratory studies of extended plasma stages supporting future particle physics applications.
Your responsibilities
- Develop and advance wakefield simulations tailored to long, self-modulated proton drive bunches, addressing one of AWAKE's central modelling challenges.
- Carry out simulation studies of witness electron-beam acceleration, including optimisation of the electron, proton, and plasma parameters for Run 2.
- Evaluate electron beam quality after acceleration (energy, energy spread, emittance, charge) and investigate strategies for achieving controlled properties.
- Develop and conduct full start-to-end simulations of the Run 2 scenarios, from self-modulation development through electron injection through acceleration and extraction.
- Investigate electron beam acceleration in scalable plasma sources of several tens of meters, assessing beam characteristics for future particle physics applications.
- Contribute to the coordination AWAKE simulation activities, including alignment of tools, sharing of best practices, and support to junior collaborators working on simulations.
- Work in close collaboration with the experimental team to ensure that numerical studies accurately reflect operational conditions and provide input to design decisions and technical specifications.
Your profile
- Background in computational physics, accelerator physics, plasma physics, or a closely related field.
- Experience with numerical simulations or particle-on-cell/beam-dynamics codes.
- Familiarity with plasma or accelerator modelling (e.g. PIC simulations, kinetic or fluid models, beam tracking codes) is an advantage.
- Prior exposure to high-performance computing environments is beneficial.
- Experience in working on large-scale or multi-institution scientific computing projects is beneficial.
Skills
- Strong programming and scripting skills (e.g. Python, C++, Bash, or equivalent scientific computing languages).
- Understanding of numerical methods for plasma modelling, beam dynamics, or high-energy physics simulations.
- Interest in contribution to algorithmic improvements, code development, and long-term modelling strategies for advanced accelerator concepts.
- Ability to work independently on challenging technical topics while engaging effectively with a wider modelling community.
- Strong cross-disciplinary communication skills for efficient interaction with simulation and experimental teams.
- Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the other language.
Eligibility criteria:
- You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
- You have a professional background in Physics (applied, experimental, accelerator or a related field) and have either:
- a Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience;
- or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience.
- You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.