Analytical Chemistry Technician

Your responsibilities

The Environment Group (HSE-ENV) ensures, in collaboration with all the other groups of the HSE Unit, that the impact of the Organization's activities on the public and the environment is monitored, and that CERN's environmental concerns and related actions are communicated to the personnel, the Host States Authorities and the public. The HSE-ENV Group also ensures in collaboration with the CERN Departments that pollution prevention, noise and waste minimisation and conservation of resources are integrated into projects and existing activities to limit their environmental impact.

The Environment Monitoring Section (HSE-ENV-EM) ensures the maintenance and operation of the network of monitors dedicated to CERN environmental online monitoring program. The Environment Monitoring Section carries out projects to consolidate, replace and extend the network of monitors used to assess the impact of the CERN activities on the environment. The Environmental Monitoring Section maintains over 100 environmental monitoring systems: Physico-chemical measurement, radioactivity measurement monitor, water or aerosol sampling systems Contribute to the design, development, maintenance and operation of the extensive network of monitors linked to CERN's environmental monitoring program.

Your responsibilities will include the following:

• Collect environmental samples, such as waste water and river water, with samples taken on CERN sites and in natural environments;
• Ensure the preparation of samples for analysis carried out by the HSE unit;
• Conduct physicochemical analyses by Ion Chromatography, ICP-MS, Photometry, HPLC MS MS, TOC TN, AOX. Manage analysis results via LIMS;
• Contribute to the monitoring of water evacuation requests made by the Organization's Departments;
• Contribute to instantaneous physicochemical measurement campaigns carried out in the waterways receiving CERN discharges.

Your profile

Skills

• Skills and knowledge in analytical chemistry (laboratory instrumentation, preparation of standard analytical solution, weighing, pipetting);
• Ability to work within a team;
• Good communication skills and ability to comprehend technical English (i.e. documentation);
• Fluent in English or French, the ability to work in the other language would be an advantage.

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 Analytical Chemistry (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is a general secondary education diploma.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Applicants with a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree are not eligible.

Job closing date: 16.02.2025 at 23:59 CET. 

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-August-2025

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.
• Exposure to carcinogens, mutagens or agents toxic to reproduction.

Given the occupational health risks associated with this position, the selected candidate must obtain medical clearance before a contract offer is confirmed.

Job reference: HSE-ENV-EM-2025-7-GRAE

Field of work: Health, Safety and Environment

What we offer

• A monthly stipend of 4624 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.