CERN - European Organization for Nuclear Research

Company DescriptionJob Description

Your responsibilities

The Mechanical and Materials Engineering (EN-MME) group, within the Engineering Department (EN), is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to contribute to the design, calculations and production of a superconducting, 400 MHz Radio Frequency (RF) accelerating cavity inside a helium tank, with a mechanical tuner. Four such cavities will be integrated inside a cryo-module. This subject is part of an R&D study in preparation of the possible future FCC-ee collider project.

You will play a significant role in the general design choices for the integration of the Nb deposited, copper cavity inside a helium tank and the mechanical tuner that is used to change the fundamental frequency of the cavity. You will use ANSYS and COMSOL to model and compare different design choices and to perform different mechanical studies such as pressure vessel assessment, thermal-, modal-, transport-, buckling, fatigue- and precision mechanisms analysis for the above-mentioned R&D project.

You will collaborate with engineers, designers and technicians in different specialisation fields such as mechanical production, RF and cryogenics and you will give support for the procurement, quality control, assembly and testing of the prototypes. You will produce and present technical reports.

Your profile

Skills:

• Design and analysis of mechanical structures by finite-element and analytical methods;
• Knowledge of 3D design software, in particular CATIA, would be an advantage;
• Knowledge of design codes and compliance verification of mechanical equipment, including steel structures, pressure vessels and machinery;
• Knowledge of high precision assemblies and actuation mechanisms;
• Knowledge of cryogenics and vacuum would be an advantage;
• Technical reporting;
• 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.
• You have a professional background in Mechanical Engineering (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.

QualificationsAdditional Information

Job closing date: 16.07.2025 at 23:59 CEST.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-July-2025 (August/September is also possible)

This position involves:

• A valid driving licence.

Job reference: EN-MME-EDM-2025-80-GRAP

Field of work: Mechanical Engineering

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.