Materials Engineer for Composites and Polymers (TE-MSC-SMT-2025-37-GRAE)

Job Description

We are seeking a skilled and motivated Materials Engineer to join our dynamic Polymer Laboratory team, which is part of the Superconducting Magnet Technology (SMT) Section . The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience in polymer processing, mechanical assembly, and expertise in polymer 3D printing. This role focuses on supporting both research and development (R&D) projects as well as production processes for plastic materials. Experience in designing and constructing electromechanical equipment will be considered an advantage.

Your responsibilities

• Operate and maintain polymer processing equipment, including Vacuum-Assisted Resin Transfer Moulding (VARTM) and pre-preg processing techniques.
• Assist in developing and testing advanced polymer materials and composites for various applications.
• Set up, operate, and troubleshoot polymer 3D printing machines for prototyping and production.
• Develop and optimise 3D printing processes for new polymer materials and part geometries.
• Write manufacturing procedures and work instructions to ensure consistency and quality in production processes.

Your profile

Skills

• Knowledge of polymer processing techniques.
• Knowledge of 3D printing techniques and technologies.
• Initial experience in mechanical assembly and use of mechanical tooling, particularly in polymer systems.
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, including R&D, engineering, and manufacturing departments.
• Ability to write clear manufacturing procedures and technical documentation.
• Knowledge of electromechanical systems, with experience in designing or constructing electromechanical equipment considered an advantage.
• Fluency in English or French.

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 Materials Science, Polymer Science, Plastics 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: 26.03.2025 at 23:59 (midnight) CET.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-May-2025

This position involves:

• A valid driving licence.
• Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job reference: TE-MSC-SMT-2025-37-GRAE

Field of work: Material and Surface Science

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.