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Accelerator Operator

Job ID JR101561 Date posted 11/25/2024

The mission of the Collider-Accelerator Department (C-AD) is to operate, maintain, improve, and upgrade the suite of electron, proton, and heavy ion accelerators used to carry out a program of accelerator-based experiments at Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). To support this program, the C-AD must design, fabricate, assemble, test, install, and operate unique research equipment to generate, transport, transfer, accelerate, focus, track, collide, and absorb high intensity particle beams up to energies of 250 GeV.  This includes a combination of custom designed and built parts and vendor produced components developed by a collaboration of the C-AD scientific, engineering, and technical staff. The C-AD supports an international user community of over 1,500 scientists. The C-AD performs all these functions in an environmentally responsible and safe manner, under a rigorous conduct of operations approach.

Position Description: 


The Collider-Accelerator Department (C-AD) has an opening for an Accelerator Operator to participate in the operation and troubleshooting of the suite of particle accelerators that make up the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the NASA Space Radiation Laboratory, as part of the Main Control Room Group. This position has a high level of interaction with an international and multicultural scientific community. This is a fully onsite position located at Brookhaven National Laboratory in Upton, NY.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Diagnose and correct suboptimal accelerator performance

  • Operate and maintain accelerators in accordance with the C-AD Conduct of Operations

  • Complete technical and research projects for C-AD

  • Collaborate with Accelerator Physicists to advance accelerator research and development

  • Act as liaison to staff and users to maintain communication regarding accelerator performance

  • Respond to emergency situations, alarms, or occurrences based on standard operating procedures

  • Identify hazards, environmental concerns and unsafe conditions or practices and implement or suggest controls to minimize risks

Position Requirements: 

  • Bachelor of Science degree in Physics or related fields

  • Clear and concise oral and written communication skills

  • Ability to work in a "fast-paced" environment

  • Ability to work shifts and irregular hours

  • Valid Driver license and the ability to drive a laboratory vehicle

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • A concentration or coursework in Electricity and Magnetism, Optics, Classical Mechanics, Accelerator Physics, High Energy Physics, and Astronomy

  • Experience in high power pulsed power supplies, digital electronics, computer controls and programming, as well as laboratory test and measurement techniques

  • Relevant work experience in a laboratory setting

Environmental, Health & Safety Requirements:

  • Ability to climb heights above six feet using a ladder

  • Physical coordination and balance

  • Arm, hand dexterity

  • Good vision depth, distance, and color

  • Ability to hear alarms

  • Skipped or irregular meals

  • Alertness or vigilance

  • Moderate lifting up to 30lbs

Brookhaven Laboratory is committed to providing fair, equitable and competitive compensation. The full salary range for this position is $67200 - $94450 / year. Salary offers will be commensurate with the final candidate’s qualification, education and experience and considered with the internal peer group.

Brookhaven employees are subject to restrictions related to participation in Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs, as defined and detailed in United States Department of Energy Order 486.1A. You will be asked to disclose any such participation at the time of hire for review by Brookhaven. The full text of the Order may be found at: https://www.directives.doe.gov/directives-documents/400-series/0486.1-BOrder-a/@@images/file

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer Brookhaven Science Associates is an equal opportunity employer that values inclusion and diversity at our Lab. We are committed to ensuring that all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a veteran, disability, or any other federal, state, or local protected class. BSA takes affirmative action in support of its policy and to advance the employment of minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities. We ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, and receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

*VEVRAA Federal Contractor

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