Applied Physicist for Cryogenics (TE-CRG-CL-2025-73-GRAP)

Job Description

Your responsibilities

As an Applied Physicist for Cryogenics, you will join the CryoLab (CL) Section of the Cryogenics (CRG) Group within the Technology (TE) Department. This section is in charge of consultancy and support in the cryogenic fields of scientific and technical studies within CERN, focusing on design, metrology, calibration, measurements, quality assurance, tests and validation of technical solutions.

Your main project will be to conduct a study on the performance of low-temperature thermal links which will enable the effective cooling and operation of components below 2.0 K.

You will conduct calculations for thermodynamics and fluid dynamics to evaluate the feasibility of cooling options and compare them with values obtained through experimentation with the aforementioned thermal links. The goal is to study conduction cooling in high-purity metal structures and compare them with active helium-filled cooling circuits. You will need to consider conditions such as mechanical flexibility, cooldown behaviour and integration in the cryogenic setups. Additionally, the low-temperature thermal boundary resistance requires attention when studying the overall system performance.

Performing test campaigns on established thermal conductivity measurement stations will enable you to distinguish between the influence of pressed interfaces and thermal transport properties.

The project will include the mechanical design of a test cryostat, its instrumentation, and the data acquisition required for these. You will perform the low temperature experiments and data analysis including the comparison with the data available from existing literature, as well as the simulation results.

Your profile

Skills:

• Deep know-how of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics;
• Experience with experimental work;
• Experience with FEA simulation tools (ANSYS, COMSOL);
• Experience with scripting programming languages (e.g. Python, MATLAB);
• Good knowledge of cryogenics/low temperature physics would be an 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 .
• You have a professional background in Thermodynamics or Aerospace 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.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 04.06.2025 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

This position involves:

• A valid driving licence.
• Exposure to electromagnetic fields under certain exposure conditions.

Given the occupational health risks associated with this position, the selected candidate must obtain medical clearance before a contract offer is confirmed.

Job reference: TE-CRG-CL-2025-73-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.