Thin Film Materials Scientist (TE-VSC-SCC-2026-133-GRAP) — CERN
- Location
- Genève
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- Yesterday
Role overview
The Vacuum, Surfaces and Coatings (VSC) Group within CERN's Technology ( TE ) Department is responsible for the full lifecycle of accelerator vacuum systems, from development and design through to installation, operation and maintenance.
The group operates facilities for measuring vacuum performance, assessing the compatibility of materials and surface technologies, and performing thin film coating, surface finishing, and vacuum-related physical and chemical characterisation.
As part of this group, you will join the Surface Coating and Chemistry (SCC) section, which provides CERN-wide expertise and services in wet surface treatments, surface and chemical analysis, and surface coating using physical vapour deposition techniques. of CERN
- The Vacuum, Surfaces and Coatings (VSC) Group within CERN's Technology ( TE ) Department is responsible for the full lifecycle of accelerator vacuum systems, from development and design through to installation, operation and maintenance.
- The group operates facilities for measuring vacuum performance, assessing the compatibility of materials and surface technologies, and performing thin film coating, surface finishing, and vacuum-related physical and chemical characterisation.
- Your responsibilities
- Deposit superconductive (thin) films onto various copper substrates (1.3 GHz, 400 MHz, 800 MHz cavities) via HiPIMS.
- Practical laboratory experience in plasma-based thin film deposition, particularly HiPIMS.
- Practical experience working with UHV systems.
Main responsibilities
- Your responsibilities
- Deposit superconductive (thin) films onto various copper substrates (1.3 GHz, 400 MHz, 800 MHz cavities) via HiPIMS.
- Perform plasma-based surface treatment for cleaning and surface passivation/functionalisation.
- Perform in situ plasma diagnostics for process R&D (e.g. mass spectrometry, OES, Langmuir probe).
- Perform materials characterisation and data analysis (e.g.
- SEM, XRD, XRF, profilometry).
- Investigate the use of a dielectric barrier as a method for suppressing thermoelectric currents.
- Commission and operate a movable cathode sputtering system for 1.3 GHz cavities.
- Contribute to the design of new sputtering systems.
- Prepare coating systems within a cleanroom environment.
Key requirements
- Practical laboratory experience in plasma-based thin film deposition, particularly HiPIMS.
- Practical experience working with UHV systems.
- Planning and executing experimental work, troubleshooting equipment or process issues, and analysing characterisation data to support coating development and optimisation.
- Preparing technical procedures, documenting experimental methods and results, and contributing to safe, reproducible laboratory practices.
- Working in a dynamic technical environment.
- Participating in technical meetings, seminars, and project discussions, sharing findings and communicating technical information within and outside the organisation.
- Using plasma diagnostic techniques in the context of thin film fabrication would be an advantage.
- Experience working in a cleanroom would be an advantage.
- Experience performing Rietveld refinement would be an advantage. Skills
- Understanding the mechanisms behind plasma-based thin film deposition techniques particularly HiPIMS and film characterisation techniques, particularly X-ray diffraction analysis.
- Knowledge of diagnostic techniques in the context of thin film fabrication.
- Knowledge in plasma-based surface treatment methods, including cleaning, passivation, and functionalisation.
Application process
- Analyse characterisation data and apply results to coating development and optimisation.
- In this role, you will contribute to the development of coating systems, thin-film materials and plasma-based surface treatments, with a particular focus on applications related to superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities and adjacent technologies.
Company and context
- Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization. Job reference: TE-VSC-SCC-2026-133-GRAP
- Field of work: Material and Surface Science Benchmark job: 200080 Material Science/Chemical Engineer/Chemist Global Benefits
- A monthly stipend between 6372-7004 Swiss Francs per month (tax free) depending on your degree.
- 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
- Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
- Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances.
- A relocation package (installation grant and travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
- Possibility to extend your contract up to 36 months.
- On-the-job and formal training including language classes.
- At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, we are pushing the frontiers of science and technology.
Additional details
- As part of this group, you will join the Surface Coating and Chemistry (SCC) section, which provides CERN-wide expertise and services in wet surface treatments, surface and chemical analysis, and surface coating using physical vapour deposition techniques.
- Experience performing Rietveld refinement would be an advantage.
- Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of the other language. Eligibility criteria:
- Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum. Working hours: 40 hours per week Job flexibility: Hybrid Target start date: 01-November-2026 This position involves: A valid driving licence.
- Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization. Job reference: TE-VSC-SCC-2026-133-GRAP
- Field of work: Material and Surface Science Benchmark job: 200080 Material Science/Chemical Engineer/Chemist
Notes and original content
- Your profile
- Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of the other language.
- Eligibility criteria:
- Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.
- Working hours: 40 hours per week
- Job flexibility: Hybrid
- Target start date: 01-November-2026
- This position involves:
- A valid driving licence.
- Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization.
Questions about this listing
What salary does CERN offer for this role?
CERN lists CHF 60'500 - 91'500 gross per year for this position in Genève. This is the salary published in the original listing (or, when the employer omits a figure, a realistic estimate for the role and sector) — the calculator on this site converts it to your actual net take-home once cross-border tax and social contributions are applied.
Is this a full-time role, and what type of contract does CERN offer?
This listing is a full-time position. The contract type shown here comes directly from the employer's original posting; always confirm exact hours, notice period and probation length with CERN during the application process, since these details can vary by role even within the same contract category.
Do I need a cross-border work permit for a role in Geneva?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton Geneva can apply for a G permit; the Swiss employer files it with that canton's migration office after the contract is signed. Border-zone rules and processing times vary by neighbouring country and canton, so confirm the specifics with Geneva's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at CERN?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to CERN's original listing at jobs.smartrecruiters.com, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
