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.

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization.

Are you a qualified and proactive Mechanical Technician, willing to become an expert in the cooling systems construction, testing, qualification, and operation for one of the world's most complex and exciting scientific experiments? Then this opportunity is for you. Join us in the largest particle physics research laboratory in the world! CERN, take part!

The CERN ATLAS experiment cooling team is looking for an entry-level Mechanical Technician, preferably with an initial experience in refrigeration or/and in the assembly of the fluidic system’s pipe assemblies. 

This project is part of your Technician Training Experience (TTE) program, aimed at technicians who are looking for a challenging professional experience which furthers their career.

The Experimental Physics (EP) Department carries out research in the field of experimental particle physics. One of the EP department groups is the Detector Technology (DT), in which the Fluidic System (FS) section is a part of. The section is responsible for the CO2 cooling systems of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) experiment’s at CERN. One of which is the ATLAS experiment.

ATLAS is a general-purpose particle physics experiment run by an international collaboration and, together with CMS, is designed to exploit the full discovery potential and the huge range of physics opportunities that the LHC provides. Different detectors require active cold or warm cooling systems in a range of several to hundreds of kilowatts cooling power.  The detector cooling systems operate 24/7 keeping the electronics and sensors in desired thermal conditions to avoid the outcome of radiation damage.

Your application will be considered by a panel of CERN experts for a place within the programme.

The next meeting of these experts will take place in February 2022.

As a Mechanical Technician, you will be working with innovative refrigeration technologies for the ATLAS detector. Your daily activates will focus on water cooled under atmospheric pressure systems, CO2 2PACL and R744 cooling technologies, perfluorocarbons and NOVEC based monophase systems.

As member of ATLAS cooling team you will be involved in various type of activates spreading from pipe assemblies, leak searching, cooling lines installation, and insulation but not excluding operation.

In order to qualify for a place on the programme you will need to meet the following requirements:

• You are a national of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State (https://home.cern/about/member-states);
• You have a Technical Diploma (careers.cern/ttediplomas), and no more than 4 years' relevant experience after finishing your diploma;
• If you are currently studying, you are still eligible to apply, although you are expected to have obtained your qualification by the start of your appointment at CERN;
• If you hold a BSc or MSc, you are not eligible. However, you may be eligible for the Fellowship Programme;
• You should have at least a working knowledge of English OR French.

Specific skills required for this job:

• Knowledge and application of piping connector techniques;
• Experience in piping systems assemblies;
• Knowledge and application of joining techniques: brazing, soldering and welding would be advantage;
• Familiar with basic mechanical workshop machine operation;
• Driving license.

By joining this position you will become an expert in the cooling systems assembly, testing, qualification and operation for one of the world's most complex and exciting scientific experiments. You will get familiar with various innovative industrial techniques and technologies that will broaden your skills.

You will work in an international environment with people from many institutes, which will give you a unique opportunity to boost your qualification.

CERN would very much like to benefit from your expertise, commitment and passion.  In return, CERN will provide you with:

• An employment contract of one year, renewable for a second year; 
• On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French;
• A monthly stipend of 4585 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: an installation grant, family, child and infant allowances as well as travel expenses to and from Geneva;
• 2,5 days of paid leave per month.

This is how you can apply:

You will need the following documents (in PDF format) to complete your application:

• A CV;
• A scan of your latest relevant qualification (or a screenshot of the latest academic transcript obtained if the diploma is not yet obtained);
• At least one reference letter (from a professor or previous employer) giving an overview of your academic and/or professional achievements. This should be as broad as possible.
  • You can upload these letters at the time of application if you have them to hand. You will also be provided with a link as soon as you have submitted your application to forward to your referees to upload their letters confidentially. Please note this must be done before the closing date.

All applications should normally reach us no later than 31.01.2022.