Damien Scortani / Electronics technician

“I joined the ESRF in 2020, just before the first COVID confinement. Although my integration was quite difficult as it took place remotely, I have created strong bonds with many of my colleagues and this close relationship is extremely important for me in my job. I’ve always been stimulated by an open-minded environment and the different angles of vision that diverse groups bring to the table. It really helps with problem solving. I used to work as a sound engineer in one of the large concert halls in Grenoble. I was in daily contact with artists, musicians, technicians and actors with very different backgrounds and I developed great respect for work that benefits humanity by improving society through art, history or science. It’s important for me to work for a company like the ESRF that, as a non-profit organisation, advances science and technology and openly shares that knowledge within the company and on a worldwide scale.

I’m part of a 20-strong team that provides support and assistance to the ESRF beamlines and accelerator complex. We intervene for cabling or motorization issues on the devices that drive our electronic motors. We also develop innovative customized solutions in response to new needs. We keep a global vision of the institute in mind and strive to develop standardized solutions that could benefit all the beamlines. My core activity focuses on improving and developing the timing system of the RF (radio-frequency) for the accelerator complex and also for the beamlines. The timing system mainly drives the devices involved in injection and extraction of electrons through the accelerator complex and to the beamlines.”

Damien grew up in the Grenoble region and studied electronics at UJF DUT GEII2. After first working as a sound engineer, he changed direction and joined an electronics design company for a 3-month internship followed by a 1-year sandwich course in imbedded electronics. After 5 years of consolidating his experience in this field, he joined the Analog and Control Electronics team in the Instrument Services and Development Division of the ESRF.