Technician in Vacuum Studies and Measurements

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Position Title: Technician in Vacuum Studies and Measurements
Location: Geneva
Country: Switzerland
Deadline Date: 3 March 2025

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. It employs over 2,500 staff members and has a diverse workforce from more than 100 nationalities. CERN operates in multiple countries, primarily in Europe, and is known for its groundbreaking research in particle physics, utilizing the world's largest particle accelerator, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, recognizing that a diverse workforce is essential for its success in scientific endeavors.

Job Overview:
The position of Technician in Vacuum Studies and Measurements is situated within the Vacuum, Surfaces and Coating group (TE-VSC-VSM) at CERN. The primary responsibilities include the maintenance, procurement, calibration, testing, and storage of a vast array of pressure gauges, specifically over 200 partial pressure gauges and 1000 total pressure gauges from various suppliers. The selected candidate will receive specialized training in quantitative residual gas analyses in ultra-high vacuum environments, which encompasses testing different models of residual gas analyzers (RGA), connecting them to vacuum systems, executing pump-down and bake-out procedures, and establishing communication between instruments and computers. Additionally, the technician will practice with dedicated software, optimize RGA parameters, measure sensitivities through multiple gas injections, and diagnose errors and breakdowns. The role also involves total pressure measurement in ultra-high vacuum, including the calibration of Bayard-Alpert gauges and conducting error analysis and statistical evaluations.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Maintain and calibrate over 200 partial pressure gauges and 1000 total pressure gauges.
• Conduct quantitative residual gas analyses in ultra-high vacuum.
• Test various models of residual gas analyzers (RGA) and connect them to vacuum systems.
• Execute pump-down and bake-out procedures for vacuum systems.
• Establish communication between RGA instruments and computers.
• Optimize RGA parameters and measure sensitivities through multiple gas injections.
• Diagnose errors and breakdowns in RGA systems.
• Perform maintenance on all types of RGA, including dismantling and reassembly to replace sub-components.
• Assist RGA users with operational queries and troubleshooting. 1
• Calibrate Bayard-Alpert gauges in a dedicated test stand by gas injections. 1
• Measure sensitivities and conduct error analysis and statistical evaluations.

Required Qualifications:

• Technical, mechanical, and instrumentation skills are essential.
• Knowledge of computer communication tools, software, and data acquisition is required.
• Fluency in English is mandatory.
• Hands-on experience with ultra-high vacuum systems is considered an asset.
• Candidates must be nationals of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• Applicants must have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Instrumentation, mechanics, or a related field.
• A general secondary education diploma is the minimum educational qualification.
• Candidates must not have previously held a CERN fellow or graduate contract.
• A valid driving license is required.

Educational Background:
The minimum educational requirement for this position is a general secondary education diploma. Candidates who have completed higher education, such as a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD degree, are not eligible for this position. The focus is on candidates who have recently graduated and have limited professional experience in relevant fields such as instrumentation or mechanics.

Experience:
Candidates should have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation. This experience should be in fields related to instrumentation, mechanics, or similar areas. The position is designed for recent graduates who are looking to gain practical experience in a specialized technical environment.

Languages:
Fluency in English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of French is considered beneficial but is not a requirement. The ability to communicate effectively in English is essential for collaboration and training purposes.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 24 months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of 36 months. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week. The target start date for this position is April 1, 202

• The role involves working in radiation areas and conducting interventions in underground installations. The position requires residence in the immediate vicinity of CERN's installations. The compensation includes a monthly stipend of 4624 Swiss Francs (net of tax), coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme for the employee and their family, and potential additional allowances based on individual circumstances. Employees are entitled to 30 days of paid leave per year, and there are opportunities for on-the-job training as well as formal training at CERN, including in-house language courses.