Materials Scientist (TE-VSC-SCC-2025-235-GRAE)

Job Description

As a Materials Scientist in the Surface, Coatings and Chemistry (SCC) section of the Vacuum, Surfaces and Coatings (VSC) group, you will be part of the surface analysis laboratory team responsible for characterising samples with defined surface finishes and/or functional coatings. The laboratory provides CERN-wide support on topics related to the surface properties of vacuum components used in accelerator operation, and contributes to the quality control and development of surface treatment and coating processes.

In this role, you will operate ultra-high vacuum (UHV) systems for X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Secondary Electron Yield (SEY) measurements, ensuring reliable data acquisition and interpretation.

The VSC group is responsible for the development, design, construction, installation, operation and maintenance of the vacuum systems across CERN's accelerator complex. It operates specialised facilities for evaluating vacuum performance and material compatibility, as well as for the physical and chemical characterisation of surfaces and thin films.

Your responsibilities

• Operate UHV systems to perform XPS and/or SEY measurements on surfaces and thin films.
• Process, analyse, and interpret experimental data, prepare written reports, and present results in technical meetings.
• Monitor and maintain the performance of measurement equipment, carry out regular calibrations, and contribute to upgrade and improvement activities.
• Develop and optimise measurement routines and update laboratory procedures where needed.
• Model quantitative electron emission behaviour using appropriate simulation software.
• Contribute to R&D projects on functional coatings and surface processes for vacuum and accelerator applications, and support SCC activities during LHC Long Shutdown 3.

Your profile

Surface analysis measurements based on electron emission, including:

• Applying best practices for the preparation, handling, and transfer of samples within UHV systems.
• Performing electron spectroscopy or electron yield experiments and analysing the resulting data.
• Fitting electron spectra and carrying out quantitative analysis of experimental results.
• Maintaining UHV systems, including performing leak detection and residual gas analysis.

Skills:

• Knowledge of fitting and modelling tools for XPS data analysis (e.g., CasaXPS, SESSA, QUASES).
• Understanding of materials and surface technologies relevant to ultra-high vacuum (UHV) applications.
• 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 physics or materials science/engineering (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is either a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Applicants without University degree are not eligible.
• Applicants with a PhD are not eligible.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 20.11.2025 at 23:59 CET.

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-March-2026

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organisation.

Job reference: TE-VSC-SCC-2025-235-GRAE

Field of work: Material and Surface Science

Benchmark job: 200080 - Material Science/Chemical Engineer/Chemist

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 5196  and 5716  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.