CESR Operators contribute to the research mission of the Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-based Sciences & Education (CLASSE) by monitoring, running, and repairing various systems for the accelerator complex on Cornell’s Ithaca campus. If you have experience with lab or technical equipment, are interested in science, and enjoy doing excellent work as part of a valued team, this may be the job for you.
CESR stands for the Cornell Electron Storage Ring, an approximately 800-meter circumference synchrotron accelerator that is located under Cornell’s athletic fields. The CESR team provides vital support for our premier high-energy X-ray facility and the international research community of over 1,000 physicists, chemists, biologists, and engineers who use the facility each year.
As a CESR Operator, you will operate a particle accelerator, following standard procedures for turning on and turning off radiation equipment, attending to common alarms, and troubleshooting equipment issues. You will operate electronic test equipment, such as oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and signal generators, and diagnose problems with the experimental equipment.
Designated as essential personnel, you will serve as part of a team that provides 24/7 facility support, including working on weekends and holidays as needed. By exercising sound judgment and communicating clearly, you will ensure the safety of your colleagues, our researchers, and the equipment.
About CLASSE
The Cornell Laboratory for Accelerator-Based Sciences and Education (CLASSE) carries out research in accelerator physics and engineering as well as supporting the operation of the Cornell Electron Storage Ring (CESR) for photon science through the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS). The CHESS organization provides X-ray experimental facilities and brings in users from around the world.
What We Need
Please apply with a resume that includes relevant details about your education, experience, and qualifications. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
We will look for evidence of the following:
Associate’s degree and 2-4 years’ relevant experience or an equivalent combination, including formal training beyond high school diploma/GED or college coursework
Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members
Aptitude to express thoughts clearly, both orally and in writing
Aptitude to adapt to changing priorities, situations and demands
Commitment to safety of personnel and equipment
Experience operating lab equipment, diagnosing problems in a technical setting, following protocols and procedures to ensure a safe working environment
Willing and able to work shifts and weekends as needed for 24/7 operation
And, while not required, any of the following would be very helpful:
Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field
Experience in a laboratory or machine shop setting
Experience with electronic circuits
Basic experience with Linux or C
2 years’ experience or training in the use of electronic test equipment or sophisticated scientific equipment
Rewards and Benefits
This position is located in Ithaca, New York, on the campus of Cornell University. Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability. This is a fixed-term position with an initial appointment period of three years and is renewable based on available funding and satisfactory performance.
Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands. We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1. To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays. Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell.
Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program. Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell.
Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell: Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.
University Job Title:
Systems Operator I
Job Family:
Technical
Level:
D
Pay Rate Type:
Hourly
Pay Range:
$26.00 - $30.05
Remote Option Availability:
Onsite
Company:
Contact Name:
Kathy McKee
Contact Email:
[email protected]Job Titles and Pay Ranges:
Non-Union Positions
Noted pay ranges reflect the potential pay opportunity for each job profile. The hiring rate of pay for the successful candidate will be determined considering the following criteria:
Prior relevant work or industry experience
Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
Unique applicable skills
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2026-04-30
Hardware Engineering (1)