IM-2313 DATA-DRIVEN OPTIMIZATION OF CHARGED PARTICLE OPTICS INTERNSHIP

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST) is a Research and Technology Organization (RTO) active in the fields of materials, environment and IT. By transforming scientific knowledge into technologies, smart data and tools, LIST empowers citizens in their choices, public authorities in their decisions and businesses in their strategies.

https://www.list.lu/

Through its research into advanced materials and processes, the “Materials Research and Technology” (MRT) department, with its 200 researchers and engineers, contributes to the emergence of enabling technologies that underpin the innovation processes of local and international industry. MRT’s activities hinge on four thematic pillars: nanomaterials and nanotechnology, scientific instrumentation and process technology, structural composites, and functional polymers.

The department also includes four high-tech platforms, focusing on composites, prototyping, characterization and testing. These platforms serve both LIST research staff, and other stakeholders in Luxembourg.

Charged particle optics is a branch of Physics that studies the behavior of charged particles, i.e., electrons and ions, in electric and magnetic fields. The Advanced Instrumentation for Nano-Analytics (AINA) group of the MRT department uses charged particle optics modelling to develop state-of-the-art analytical instruments for nano-analytics. Those state-of-the-art instruments comprise complex electron/ion optical systems such as electron/ion extraction optics, transportation optics, and mass analyzers. Selecting, configuring, and arranging the building blocks of the above systems, such as electron/ion lenses, quadrupole deflectors, mass analyzer’s electrodes, etc., constitutes a high-dimensional multi-objective non-convex optimization problem. Good solutions for such problems can, in principle, be found by global optimization methods. However, validating the performance of a candidate solution via experiment and/or physical computer simulation is time intensive.

The AINA group, therefore, develops an approach that uses machine learning to rapidly predict outcomes of candidate solutions. This surrogate model is then combined with an evolutionary optimization algorithm to design novel electron/ion optical instruments and experiments.

In the framework of this internship, we are looking for a Master student who is interested in applying modern data-driven optimization methods to design state-of-the-art nanoanalytical instruments and to contribute to this exciting project. The main objective is to improve the evolution process to obtain better optimization performance in less time.

The following tasks will be performed during the internship:

• Understanding electron/ion optical simulation/modeling and multi-objective optimization developed by the AINA group
• Set up machine learning surrogate models and implement them into the AINA’s multi-objective optimization
• Benchmarking on ion optical element designs and selected instrument designs of the AINA group

Apart from the experience directly gained from the above tasks, you will have opportunities to work with the multidisciplinary research team of the AINA group and the Process Modelling, Automation and Robotization (PROMAR) group, especially on scientific instrumentation development and process modelling.

Education

• You are currently completing a Master in Physics, Informatics, Computing, Computer Science or any related field

Experience and skills

• Knowledge in machine learning and/or optimization methods
• Experience in programming languages (e.g., Python)

Language skills

• Good level both written and spoken English.



An organization with a passion for impact and strong RDI partnerships in Luxembourg and Europe that works on responsible and independent research projects;

Sustainable by design, empowering our belief that we play an essential role in paving the way to a green society;

Innovative infrastructures and exceptional labs occupying more than 5,000 square metres, including innovations such as our Viswall, high-scale incubators and top of the range 3D/4D printings that are part of our toolkit for excelling in all we do;

Multicultural and international work environment with more than 45 nationalities represented in our workforce; 

Diverse and inclusive work environment empowering our people to fulfil their personal and professional ambitions;

Gender-friendly environment with multiple actions to attract, develop and retain women in science;

32 days’ paid annual leave for a full time internship, 11 public holidays per annum, flexible working hours,

An environment encouraging curiosity, innovation and entrepreneurship in all areas.

Apply online

https://www.list.lu/en/jobs/interns/

Your application must include a motivation letter oriented towards the position and detailing your experience.

Application procedure and conditions:

• LIST is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to hiring and retaining diverse personnel. We value all applicants and will consider all competent candidates for employment without regard to national origin, race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, religion, age or disability;
• Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled;
• An assessment committee will review the applications and select candidates based on guidelines that aim to ensure equal opportunities; 
• The main criteria for selection will be the correspondence of the existing skills and expertise of the applicant with the requirements mentioned above.

To be considered for this position it is crucial that you have knowledge of the following languages

English Read C2 Write C1 Speak C1

Master