Project Graduate - Beamline for Schools Support Scientist and ELISA Educator

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Position Title: Project Graduate - Beamline for Schools Support Scientist and ELISA Educator
Location: Geneva
Country: Switzerland
Deadline Date: 14th of March at 23:59 (midnight) CET

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, was established in 1954 and is one of the world's largest and most respected centers for scientific research. With over 2,500 employees and thousands of scientists from around the globe collaborating on various projects, CERN operates in multiple countries and is known for its groundbreaking work in particle physics. The organization aims to uncover the fundamental structure of the universe by studying the basic constituents of matter and their interactions.

Job Overview:
The position of Project Graduate in the Teacher & Student Programmes (TSP) Section within CERN's Education, Communication and Outreach (ECO) group is designed for individuals who are passionate about engaging students in science and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers. The successful candidate will serve as a support scientist for the Beamline for Schools (BL4S) competition and as an Educator at CERN Science Gateway's new accelerator ELISA. This dual role involves time-sharing between both activities, where the candidate will assist winning teams in planning, preparing, and executing their experiments while also participating in educational outreach through the ELISA accelerator. The candidate will be integrated into the Beamline for Schools team, working closely with project managers and technical coordinators to ensure the successful execution of experiments and educational demonstrations.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The primary responsibilities of the support scientist include answering technical questions from teams interested in the BL4S competition, assisting in the selection process of winning proposals, and transforming these proposals into executable experiments. The candidate will train the winning teams on-site at CERN, guiding them through the experiment execution and helping with data analysis and report writing. Additional duties involve setting up the TDAQ system, testing and calibrating detectors, integrating systems, and ensuring smooth operation during experiments. As an ELISA Educator, the candidate will participate in studies and tests of new experiments, develop surface analysis methods, and contribute to the further development of the accelerator and its safety systems.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a solid background in experimental physics, computer science, or electronics. Experience with accelerators and beamlines is considered an asset, along with basic skills in software development and project management. Knowledge of detector electronics and experience in communicating science to diverse audiences, particularly young learners, are highly valued. Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a team within a large international organization are essential.

Educational Background:
The ideal candidate should have a Master's degree in a relevant field with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience, or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience. Candidates must be nationals of a CERN Member or Associate Member State and should not have previously held a CERN fellow or graduate contract.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have relevant professional experience in science education, STEM, or related fields. A background in experimental physics, computing science, or electronics is crucial, with additional experience in small-scale experiments being advantageous. The candidate should also demonstrate a high interest in outreach projects and the ability to communicate effectively with various audiences.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory, while proficiency in French is considered an advantage. The ability to communicate in both languages will enhance the candidate's effectiveness in this role, particularly in engaging with diverse audiences.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 24 months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of 36 months. The target start date is April 1, 202

• The role may require stand-by duty and work during nights, Sundays, and official holidays as needed by the organization. The position offers a monthly stipend ranging from 6287 to 6911 Swiss Francs (net of tax), comprehensive health coverage, and various allowances depending on individual circumstances. Additionally, the role includes 30 days of paid leave per year and opportunities for on-the-job training and formal language courses.