Job Description

Are you ready to contribute to one of the most advanced vacuum systems in the world? With 130 km of state-of-the-art vacuum vessels, CERN operates one of the largest and most complex vacuum systems ever created. If you are motivated by the challenge of advancing the frontiers of science and technology, this is your opportunity to make a significant impact.

In this role, you will become part of the Vacuum, Surfaces, and Coatings (VSC) Group, a leader in CERN’s pioneering technological research. This group oversees all high and ultra-high vacuum systems across CERN’s accelerators, managing everything from design and operation to surface engineering and acceptance testing.

The Beam Vacuum Operation (BVO) section ensures the seamless operation and continuous enhancement of the vacuum equipment essential to the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the most powerful particle accelerator ever built. This includes maintaining systems that enable hadron beams to circulate through superconducting magnets and detectors.

As a mechanical engineer within the Beam Vacuum Operations section, you will join the Experimental Vacuum team, which is responsible for parts of the beam vacuum system supporting four key interaction points: the ATLAS, ALICE, CMS, and LHCb experiments.

As the High-Luminosity Large Hadron Collider (HL-LHC) project progresses, there is an increasing need to study its performance in detail. The HL-LHC aims to significantly enhance the luminosity of the LHC, leading to a higher collision rate and an increase in the number of events recorded by experiments. This intensity increase presents unique challenges, particularly in managing background noise that can interfere with experimental results. One of the critical factors contributing to this background noise is beam gas scattering, which can introduce unwanted signals and complicate data interpretation. To mitigate these effects and ensure the integrity of experimental outcomes, it is essential to conduct thorough investigations into the vacuum system’s performance. Additionally, understanding how gas injection impacts vacuum conditions will be vital for optimising the operational environment of LHCb and other possible forward experiments around the LHC beam vacuum systems.

Your responsibilities:

The following tasks outline the necessary steps to achieve a deeper understanding of the future LHC’s performance and address the challenges posed by increased intensity and reduced background noise:

Vacuum System Simulation and Analysis:

• Conduct advanced vacuum simulations using Molflow+ software to analyse system performance.
• Validate simulation results against real operational data to ensure accuracy and reliability.
• Utilise simulations for rapid parameter extrapolation and to assess the impact of gas injection on the LHCb experimental vacuum system and other forward experiments in the LHC beam vacuum system.

Ultra-High Vacuum Equipment Design and Engineering:

• Design ultra-high vacuum-compatible components and systems.
• Develop detailed 3D CAD models for vacuum equipment and assemblies.
• Perform comprehensive engineering simulations to verify compliance with operational requirements and safety standards.

Laboratory Testing and Quality Assurance:

• Conduct thorough vacuum laboratory studies, including precise gas flow measurements and functional tests.
• Develop and implement rigorous acceptance testing protocols for vacuum systems and components.
• Analyse test results and provide recommendations for system improvements.

Operational Support and On-Site Interventions:

• Actively participate in regular operation follow-ups to ensure optimal system performance.
• Lead and assist in on-site interventions, including the installation and commissioning of gas injection systems.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues during system deployment and operation.

Your profile

Skills

Technical Skills

• Proficiency in Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) software:
  • Molflow+ for vacuum simulations
  • ANSYS for engineering analysis
• Expertise in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software:
  • CATIA, Autodesk Inventor or SolidWorks
• Deep knowhow of ultra-high vacuum techniques:
  • Leak detection methods
  • Residual gas analysis

Soft Skills

• Excellent communication abilities
• Proactive approach to problem-solving
• Strong teamwork orientation
• Goal-driven mindset

Language Requirement

• Fluency in English, with the willingness to learn French at CERN.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Applied Physics (or a related field) and have either:
  • a Master’s degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience;
  • or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 24th of March at 23:59 (midnight) CET.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-June-2025

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.

Job reference: TE-VSC-BVO-2025-32-GRAP

Field of work: Applied Physics

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6287 and 6911 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Depending on your individual circumstances: installation grant; family, child and infant allowances; payment of travel expenses at the beginning and end of contract.
• 30 days of paid leave per year.
• On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.

About us

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter – fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on http://home.cern.

We are on a Quest. A Journey into discovery like no other. Bring your expertise to our unique work and develop your knowledge and skills at pace. Join world-class subject matter experts on unique projects, in a Quest for greater knowledge and deeper understanding.

Begin your CERN Quest. Take Part!

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN’s mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success.