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 mechanical design of longitudinal motion system for solenoids' magnetic axis measurement

Apply online now

Your tasks

In the frame of Isotope and Muon Production using Advanced Cyclotron and Target Technologies (IMPACT) project, three new beamlines will be built at PSI in the High-Intensity Proton Accelerator Complex (HIPA). Two of these lines foresee the increase of the muons production rate by a factor 100, allowing a significant improvement of the quality of the experiments. These lines are solenoid-based and the assessment of the solenoid magnetic axis is a crucial point for the magnets alignment in the beamline. For the series production, the main system for axis measurements is a field mapper based on a 3D Hall probe transducer. Field mapping measurements of large aperture solenoids is a time-consuming task. The typical uncertainty of the axis assessment is 200 µm, enough for the alignment of the device in the machine. However, axis measurements using another technique would be useful for cross validation. In this regard, a new method based on sliding fluxmeters can provide a fast and reliable way of measuring a solenoid’s axis with improved accuracy. An important component of such a system is the actuator for the longitudinal motion of the fluxmeter. The main requirement is to achieve high speed for best SNR with minimal vibration to avoid spurious signal.

In the framework of the implementation of a new measurement bench based on the sliding fluxmeter, the objective of the work is the design of the high-speed actuator for solenoids measurements with sliding fluxmeter. The main tasks related to the internship are:

  • Review of the existing solutions
  • Define the requirements for the new actuator
  • Mechanical design of the tool
  • If required carry out simulations to assess immunity to vibrations
  • Prepare 2D drawings for manufacturing
  • Commissioning of the SW on the new vibrating wire bench

Your profile

  • You are a student in engineering or physics, and you are at least at your first year of the Master degree
  • You have experience with CAD • You have an interest in numerical simulations
  • You have not yet completed your Master’s thesis

We offer

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

The contract will be limited to 3 months.

For further information, please contact Dr Giuseppe Montenero, phone +41 56 310 52 61. 

Please submit your application online for the position as a Trainee (index no. 8431-T1).

Paul Scherrer Institute, Human Resources Management, Lara Essig, 5232 Villigen PSI, Switzerland