November 5, 2024

Duke University

Durham

Accelerator Technician

Duke University:

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

The Triangle University Nuclear Laboratory (TUNL) is a Department of Energy Center of Excellence in Nuclear Physics: TUNL is one of four Department of Energy Nuclear Physics Centers of Excellence, with affiliated experimental and theory faculty from Duke, North Carolina Central, North Carolina State, and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Located on the campus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, TUNL draws collaborators worldwide and provides opportunities in both accelerator and non-accelerator-based research. In addition, TUNL is engaged in research collaborations at leading national and international user facilities.

Perform a variety of technical tasks related to the operation, maintenance, and installation of the accelerator equipment and hardware for the High Intensity Gamma-ray Source at TUNL.
Perform a variety of technical tasks related to the installation, operation, and maintenance of the High Intensity Gamma-ray Source (HIGS) accelerators at TUNL. Independently operate electron beam accelerators, in a safe and reliable manner. Maintain Operation records and Logbooks. Understand how to start up and shut down the accelerator equipment. Act as the primary control person for radiation safety during operations, including entry into the target rooms and accelerator areas. Understand the setup and organization of the EPICS computer control system for the accelerators. Be able to use the accelerator control system to conduct all operation needs and troubleshoot accelerator problems. Perform machine troubleshooting: (1) Be able to locate and determine the source of a possible equipment failure, and restore the accelerator operation in case of a fixed issue; (2) Call up the physicist and/or engineer responsible for the failed system to determine the extent of the failure and to repair it or schedule the repair. (3) Communicate with users as necessary to let them know about the machine malfunction and the actions taken. Perform work required to reconfigure the FEL undulator magnets for new types of operation. This includes bolting and unbolting multiple large cables and heavy copper bus bar plates. Participate in and provide mechanical assistance to the regularly scheduled changes of the FEL undulators and FEL mirrors. Perform repairs on electronic equipment, including power supplies, process controllers, klystron modulators, RF generators, safety circuits, vacuum instrumentation, AC and DC power, and optics, using oscilloscopes, digital multimeters, and other test equipment and tools. Conduct semi-annual testing of the Personnel Protection System (PPS) using the supplied PPS Test procedure. Perform assigned tasks in the installation and maintenance of accelerator-related systems, including the deionized water (DI) water cooling system, other plumbing subsystems, and the lab compressed air system. Be able to troubleshoot and repair pneumatic equipment. Design and construct electronic circuitry using supplied circuit diagrams, layout drawings, and instructions. Provide technical assistance to faculty, students, and outside researchers as requested. Follow all TUNL and Duke Safety policies and procedures. Remain up to date on all required Safety Training. Demonstrate a consistent ability to work in a professional manner with all other staff in the lab, and with local and visiting researchers. The HIGS accelerators are operated on a shift schedule, day shift, evening shift, and for some weeks in a year night shift. Accelerator Technicians must be available to be scheduled for the required shifts. Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein.

Minimum Qualifications
Education
Work requires knowledge of a specialized technical field generally acquired through a two-year Associate degree program in Electronics, Mechanical Engineering or a related field.
Experience
Work requires four years experience working with vacuum components and systems, motors, electromechanical devices, electronic devices and systems, control systems or other related components or systems to acquire skills necessary to install, operate and maintain Van de Graaff or Mark III free-electron laser accelerators and related equipment. OR AN EQUIVALENT COMBINATION OF RELEVANT EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE

Duke is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essentialjob functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and provision for requests for reasonable accommodation will be provided by each hiring department.