Job Description
Your responsibilities
Join the Superconducting RF Cavity Technology (SRF) Section within the Radio Frequency (RF) Group as an RF Engineer!
As an RF Engineer, you will receive training to perform measurements on superconducting radiofrequency cavities and cryomodules at both ambient and cryogenic temperatures. This role involves operating existing test facilities, assessing measurement uncertainties, calibrating radiofrequency (RF) equipment, and seeking new solutions for process optimisation.
A significant part of the position includes data analysis, interpretation of measurement results, and thorough documentation. Physical data include both direct measurements such as temperature, pressure, RF power, and radiation dose and derived parameters including cavity quality factor, accelerating field, superconducting characteristics, quench locations, and more.
Data will be gathered from SRF cavity tests from all related projects, with particular focus on performance optimisation and long-term reliability of RF cryomodules. As a training opportunity, you may also participate in standby service for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) for the few months of operations remaining before the Long Shutdown 3 (LS3).
Your profile
Skills:
- Hands-on experience in RF laboratory equipment (oscilloscopes, network analyser, etc) and measurement techniques.
- Construction and testing of RF equipment.
- Experience with data analysis (preferably using Python).
- Knowledge of electromagnetic multi-physics simulations (preferably in CST or HFSS) would be an asset.
- Experience with SRF cavities and/or control systems would be a strong asset.
- Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.
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 Electrical or RF Engineering (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is either a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
- You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
- Applicants without University degree are not eligible.
- Applicants with a PhD are not eligible.
Additional Information
Job closing date: 27.08.2025 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:
- Participation in a regular stand-by duty, including nights, Sundays and official holidays.
- Work in Radiation Areas.
- Interventions in underground installations.
- A valid driving licence.
- Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.
Job reference: SY-RF-SRF-2025-144-GRAE
Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering
What we offer
- A monthly stipend ranging between 5196 and 5716 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.