Radiation Protection Physicist

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Position Title: Radiation Protection Physicist
Location: Geneva
Country: Switzerland
Deadline Date: 23.02.2025

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a leading scientific research organization established in 195

• It is known for its groundbreaking work in particle physics and operates the world's largest particle accelerator complex. CERN employs thousands of scientists, engineers, and support staff from over 100 countries, fostering a collaborative environment that drives innovation and discovery in fundamental physics. The organization is dedicated to understanding the fundamental structure of the universe and the basic constituents of matter, utilizing complex scientific instruments to study particle interactions and the laws of nature.

Job Overview:
As a Radiation Protection Physicist in the Characterization and Services Section (RP-CS) at CERN, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and protection of personnel and the environment from ionizing radiation. Your expertise in characterizing radionuclide inventories through radioanalytical and computational methods will be essential in assessing radiological risks associated with activated materials and waste. You will lead projects aimed at improving radiation protection measures, develop novel measurement procedures, and maintain compliance with safety regulations. This position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic, multi-national team, contributing to the safety of CERN's installations and projects at the world's largest particle accelerator complex.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead the activities of the RP radioanalytical laboratories, coordinating necessary upgrades for major accelerator shutdowns.
• Conduct research and development of innovative measurement procedures for the radiological characterization of materials and waste.
• Establish and enhance quality assurance protocols for various analysis techniques, including gamma spectroscopy and radiochemical analysis.
• Produce and edit legal, technical, and scientific documentation, including reports, specifications, and international publications.
• Develop and maintain computational models related to Monte Carlo particle transport simulations, including codes for predicting radionuclide inventories.
• Supervise and coordinate the work of technical personnel, post-docs, associates, and students, ensuring effective collaboration and knowledge transfer.

Required Qualifications:

• A Master's degree or PhD in radiation detection instrumentation, computational methods, or a related field.
• A Radiation Protection Expert Certificate, with accreditation according to Swiss or French legislation being a plus.
• Extensive knowledge of radiation protection principles and the physics of radionuclide creation.
• Demonstrated experience in radiation measurements, particularly for radiological characterization (gamma spectroscopy, alpha/beta counting).
• Proficiency in using Monte Carlo radiation transport codes, such as FLUKA, with experience in deterministic codes like ActiWiz, CINDER90, or FISPACT being advantageous.
• Proven ability to write technical and scientific documentation, including rules, reports, and publications.

Educational Background:
Candidates must possess a Master's degree or PhD in a relevant field, such as radiation detection instrumentation or computational methods. Equivalent relevant experience may also be considered. The educational background should provide a strong foundation in the principles of radiation physics and safety, as well as familiarity with measurement techniques and computational modeling.

Experience:
Candidates should have extensive experience in radiation protection and the physics processes related to radionuclide creation. This includes demonstrated expertise in radiation measurements for characterization purposes, as well as significant experience with Monte Carlo radiation transport codes. Proven skills in technical writing and documentation are essential, along with a solid understanding of regulatory frameworks and best practices in radiation protection.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, with the ability to draft technical specifications and scientific reports, as well as make oral presentations. Proficiency in French in professional contexts is advantageous but not required.

Additional Notes:
This position is a limited duration contract for 5 years, with the possibility of applying for an indefinite position under certain conditions. The role requires a commitment of 40 hours per week and involves work in radiation areas and interventions in underground installations. A valid driving license is also required. The job grade is classified as 6-7, and the reference for this position is HSE-RP-CS-2025-7-LDB.