Research Fellow in Accelerator Beam Diagnostics

Full-Time, Fixed-Term from 1 August 2026 to 31 May 2028.
Applications are invited for the post of Research Fellow in Accelerator Beam Diagnostics for HL-LHC in the Department of Physical Sciences and Engineering, within the Faculty of Science at Royal Holloway, University of London, and in collaboration with CERN.
The high luminosity upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider will increase the delivered integrated luminosity by about an order of magnitude to search for new, rare, particles and perform precision measurements of the standard model of particle physics. The machine challenges are significant, including unprecedented understanding of the beam dynamics, high intensity collimation and the use of crab RF cavities to rotate the proton bunches to maximize the collision rate. High-bandwidth, high-resolution beam position monitors are under development to provide continuous monitoring of intrabunch crabbing. The system will rely on stripline beam position monitors. An electro-optical read-out system is under study aiming at measuring the intrabunch motion with the adequate time and position resolution.
The role holder would carry out research to develop high-bandwidth, high-resolution readout of stripline beam position monitors, using fibre-coupled electro-optic methods. The proposed project will focus on optimising the Electro-Optical Modulator Time Stretch (EOMTS) read-out system. It will include systematic investigations to choose and characterise the best possible laser system, the electro-optical modulator arrangement, the main components for time-stretching as well as the final photon detectors. This work would also aim at developing a full scale EOMTS test-bench, with the potential to extend its frequency response to also explore future instrumentation needs. During the long shutdown 3, beam tests could been envisaged on electron facilities at CERN such as CLEAR or AWAKE.
The position is associated with the HL-LHC-UK2 project to deliver key R&D and hardware to HL-LHC in the areas of HL-LHC in beam dynamics, collimation, crab cavities, diagnostics, cold powering and surface treatments. The Fellow will join a vibrant and supportive UK-wide team and will be based in the UK, with opportunity to spend significant time at CERN.
The position is funded by STFC primarily through the John Adams Institute core grant. The postholder will be supervised by Prof Stephen Gibson and Dr Thibaut Lefevre at CERN, and the post builds on the long-lasting collaboration between CERN and UK on beam instrumentation development.
Royal Holloway has a record of outstanding research in Physics, recognised with a 100% world-leading and internationally excellent research environment in REF21. We host established research groups in particle physics, theoretical physics, nanotechnologies, quantum and ultra-low temperature physics, and astronomy and cosmology. Research is supported by GRID computing facilities, the SuperFab nanofabrication facility, the London Low Temperature Laboratory and the John Adams Institute for Accelerator Science, with collaborations at CERN, LIGO, SNOLAB, SURF, LNGS, J-PARC, CLIC, KEK, ESS and Diamond Light Source.
The successful applicant will have a track record of excellence in accelerator physics, especially beam instrumentation and fast readout systems, and be qualified with a doctorate in a relevant field.
The Department is committed to reducing gender inequality, as recognised by the awards of Physics Juno Champion, and Athena SWAN silver status recently renewed in March 2026, and warmly welcomes applications from groups under-represented in physics.
Royal Holloway recognises the importance of helping its employees balance their work and home life by offering flexible working arrangements. We are happy to consider a request for flexible working for this post including part time, job share or compressed working hours.
Royal Holloway offers a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including:
# Generous annual leave entitlement
# Training and Development opportunities
# Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution
# Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing.
# Free parking
The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London. There will be opportunity to spend time at CERN.