Job Description
Your responsibilities
A major consolidation of the North Experimental Area—part of CERN's Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) complex, was approved in 2021. This two-phase upgrade, carried out under the NA-CONS project, will bring significant renovation to infrastructures and services in the coming years. The aim is to restore reliable operation and ensure compliance with modern safety standards.
As part of this project, the Machine Interlock section is responsible for the definition, design, procurement, implementation and operation of custom-made electronics for the Beam Interlock System (BIS) to be deployed in the North Area beamlines. The BIS plays a crucial role in protecting the CERN accelerators from potential damage caused by beam loss. These systems are distributed throughout the accelerator complex and are designed to operate with exceptionally high levels of reliability and availability.
You will join the NA-CONS project within the Technology Department, hosted by the MPE group, which is responsible for a range of magnet and beam-related protection and interlock systems at CERN.
In this role, you will contribute to the following activities:
- Testing and measurement of custom-made electronic boards.
- Ensuring traceability of test reports.
- Supporting the production of electronic boards.
- Maintaining the high-quality standards required for these systems.
- Reporting any deviations from technical specifications.
- Supporting the installation of interlock systems in the SPS North Area.
Your profile
Skills:
- Proficiency in electrical circuit measurement, analysis, testing, and fault diagnosis.
- Ability to read and interpret electronic schematics.
- Experience with soldering techniques and tools.
- Hands-on experience with basic mechanical work.
- Methodical and well-organised approach to tasks and documentation.
- Strong teamwork skills and ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Clear and effective communication, both written and verbal.
- 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 Electronics (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.
To apply, please upload a copy of your CV as well reference letter(s) if available.
Additional Information
Job closing date: 10.08.2025 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-November-2025
This position involves:
- Work in Radiation Areas.
- Interventions in underground installations.
- A valid driving licence.
Job reference: TE-MPE-MI-2025-128-GRAE
Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering
What we offer
- A monthly stipend of 4624 Swiss Francs (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.
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.