Material Scientist - ISOL Targets

The Radioactive Beam Production section (SY-STI-RBP) is seeking a Material Scientist, Materials Engineer, Chemist, or related specialist to contribute to the development of next‑generation target materials for radioactive ion beam production at the ISOLDE facility.

• Develop novel target materials for radioactive ion beam production.
• Design, synthesize, process, and optimise advanced materials with tailored microstructures and extraction properties.
• Contribute to the commissioning of the new chemical and nano laboratory.
• Utilise the section's chemical laboratory and nano‑laboratory facilities to develop and produce innovative target materials, including nano‑actinide‑based systems.

• Experience in materials development, synthesis, and processing.
• Experience in powder processing technologies and material fabrication techniques.
• Experience with material characterisation methods and interpretation of analytical data.
• Development and characterisation of nanosized or porous materials.
• Materials Development and Engineering.
• Materials Characterisation and Data Analysis.
• Nanomaterials.
• Experimental Research and Problem Solving.

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

• Work in Radiation Areas.

A monthly net stipend between  Swiss Francs per month 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.

• You are a national of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State. Currently, we cannot consider applications from Pakistani and Lithuanian nationals for positions with a 2026 start date, as the ceiling defined under Article II.5 of the Associate Membership Agreement has been reached.
• By the Final date to receive applications, you have a maximum of 2 years of professional experience since graduation in the respective field and your highest educational qualification is either a bachelor’s or master’s degree. You must have a university degree and can’t hold a PhD.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Please pay attention to the additional criteria and requirements for this specific position mentioned above.

• Your CV (English or French)
• A copy of your most relevant diploma or a certificate of achievement from your school (if you don't yet have your paper diploma)
• Any document you consider relevant to your application

The SY department oversees the science and technology related to accelerator technical systems
, including beam instrumentation, beam transfer, power converters, particles generation and their interaction with matter, and radio frequency systems. It is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and development of new hardware and software for CERN’s accelerator complex.