Your responsibilities

You will join the Accelerator Systems Department (SY), which is responsible for the beam-related technical systems of the CERN accelerators. The SY teams design, build and operate equipment systems in all CERN accelerators, and are engaged in ambitious forward-looking R&D programmes.
The Electrical Power Converter Group (EPC), which is responsible for the electrical power systems for the entire CERN accelerator complex.
The Medium Power Converter Section (SY-EPC-MPC), whose members develop and operate specific power systems. These systems are in the range of 10 kW up to several MW for magnets including those of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) injector chain and LHC superconducting magnets.

In this position, you will become a member of a team tasked with implementing an upgrade for the Control Electronics for existing thyristors converters within the Super Proton Synchroton (SPS) complex (total of 140 units rated from 10 kW to 20MW).

Specifically, you will: 

• Actively participate in the design, testing, installation, and commissioning of Power Converters; 
• Lead technical studies, primarily reverse engineering studies on existing converters with the goal of standardizing magnetic components;
• Design electronics boards interfacing the power part with the Control Electronics;
• Organize and conduct validation tests on a platform; 
• Drafting technical specifications;
• Oversee contract management in the industry for procurement purposes of these components.

Your profile

Skills and/or knowledge

• Experience with design and modelling (PSIM or equivalent) of power electronics in the power level above 50 kW;
• Experience with application of various type of semiconductor switches (IGBTs, Thyristors, Diode, plastic case, press-pack);
• Experience with design and testing of electronics boards interfacing the power part with the Control electronics;
• Experience with installation and commissioning of electrical power equipment;
• Knowledge and application of power electronics techniques;
• Knowledge of design and modelling of power electronic components and systems: power electronics topologies, IGBT, Diode, Thyristor modules or Presspacks, system analysis (PSIM or equivalent), integration;
• Knowledge of construction, test and installation of power electronic components and systems;
• Fluent in English, the ability to work in French would be an advantage.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Power Electronics (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.

Job closing date: 10.03.2024 at 23:59h (midnight) CET.

Job reference: SY-EPC-MPC-2024-23-GRAP

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

Target start date: 01-June-2024

This position requires:

• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6194 and 6808 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.