Mechanical Technician (TE-VSC-IVO-2025-192-GRAE)

Job Description

Your responsibilities:

As a Mechanical Technician in the Super Proton Synchrotron (SPS) Vacuum Team, you will play an important role in ensuring the quality, installation, and operation of vacuum components in CERN's accelerator complex.

Your main responsibilities will include:

• Carrying out the mechanical assembly of vacuum components and sub-assemblies, including leak detection and quality control prior to installation.
• Taking part in the installation of vacuum components in the SPS tunnel, including pumpdown, leak detection, and commissioning activities.
• Supporting the organisation of logistics and procurement for vacuum chambers and related equipment.
• Documenting acceptance tests and interventions to ensure accurate traceability and reporting.

More information here: https://te-dep.web.cern.ch/vacuum-surfaces-and-coatings-vsc

Your profile:

Skills:

Essential skills:

• Knowledge of mechanical assembly and design principles.
• Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings.
• Practical experience in the maintenance of mechanical equipment.
• Basic computer skills for documenting and reporting.
• Good communication skills and ability to work effectively in a team.

Desirable skills:

• Previous knowledge of vacuum technology (e.g. leak detection, pressure measurement).
• 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 Mechanical or Electromechanical Technology (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.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 19.10.2025 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-February-2026

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• 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-VSC-IVO-2025-192-GRAE

Field of work: Mechanical 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.