Many different skills are required to operate a particle accelerator. Here are some examples of professions related to particle accelerators:
Metalworker
A manual and artistic profession. The metalworker manufactures metal parts.
Vacuum technician
A profession also found in industry. The vacuum technician creates the vacuum inside the particle accelerator so that the beam is not slowed down. To do this, the vacuum technician uses different types of air pumps (mechanical pumps), mini aircraft engines (turbo pumps), and extremely low temperatures reaching -270°C (cryogenic pumps) to trap air molecules.
European project manager
A profession combining curiosity, social interaction and organisational skills. The project manager coordinates relations between the accelerator and other partners (European countries) to ensure that everything runs smoothly for scientists, from an administrative, financial and legal perspective.
Physicist
The physicist (researcher) asks fundamental questions and tries to answer them through different experiments and modelling. Since particles (such as atomic nuclei) are extremely small, physicists need particle accelerators (which are themselves very small compared to everyday objects) to study them. The measurements must then be interpreted through theory.
Detector-related professions
Particle detector technicians must have excellent knowledge of detectors in order to repair them as quickly as possible in case of problems.
Ion source specialists
The accelerator accelerates ions (electrically charged atoms). Ion source specialists are the people who produce ions in equipment called an « ion source ».
Safety and radiation protection professions
People are present at GANIL to ensure the safety of all workers.
IT professions
Computer specialists are also present at GANIL because computers are widely used in particle accelerators.
Environmental professions
The environment around the accelerator is, of course, monitored.
Mechanical manufacturing professions
Many mechanical parts are manufactured and used in the accelerator. A manufacturing workshop is also required.
Operator
The operator adjusts the beam.
Technical coordinator
The technical coordinator manages technical aspects.
Surveyor
Surveyors measure the relative positions of all the accelerator equipment.