Job Description

Join the Vacuum, Surfaces and Coatings (VSC) Group, responsible for the design, construction, operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) vacuum system.

As a Material and Surface Science Technician, you will contribute to the consolidation, upgrade, and maintenance of the LHC beam vacuum systems during Long Shutdown 3 (LS3), starting in 2026.

Working as part of a dynamic operations team, you will play a key role in preparing the accelerator for its next phase of high-performance operation.

Your responsibilities:

• Take part in on-site interventions in the LHC tunnel, contributing to helium leak detection, local heating operations, and the activation of non-evaporable getter (NEG) coatings.
• Carry out ultra-high vacuum pressure measurements and analyse residual gas composition with mass spectrometry, including identifying possible organic contaminants or air leaks.
• Assist in preparing and updating technical documentation, tracking the NEG performance of the LHC vacuum system during LS3 activities.
• Support quality assurance efforts by validating each step of the process and producing detailed intervention reports to ensure traceability and compliance

Your profile:

• Basic understanding of ultra-high vacuum (UHV) principles.
• Awareness of outgassing phenomena in vacuum systems.
• Familiarity with simple techniques for creating and maintaining UHV environments.
• Basic knowledge of NEG (Non-Evaporable Getter) behaviour and use.
• Introductory know-how of quadrupole mass spectrometers (RGA) in UHV setups.
• Basic knowledge of helium leak detection methods.

Skills

• Able to operate basic ultra-high vacuum (UHV) gauges and read their data.
• Able to assist with helium leak detection and note basic results.
• Able to help prepare and update simple technical documentation.
• Able to support on-site vacuum tasks, like NEG activation and checks.
• Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of the other language.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• By the application deadline, you have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Material and Surface Science (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is a general secondary education diploma.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Applicants with a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree are not eligible.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 05.05.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-September-2026

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• Residence in the immediate vicinity of the Organization's installations.
• A valid driving licence.
• Exposure to ionizing radiation and classified as category A.

Given the occupational health risks associated with this position, the selected candidate must obtain medical clearance before a contract offer is confirmed.

Job reference: TE-VSC-BVO-2026-106-GRAE

Field of work: Material and Surface Science

Benchmark job: 300090 - Mechanical Technician

Global Benefits

• A monthly stipend of 4687 Swiss Francs per month (tax free).
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances.
• A relocation package (installation grant and travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
• Possibility to extend your contract up to 36 months.
• On-the-job and formal training including language classes.

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