Electrical Engineer for Einstein Telescope Organisation (ETO) (EN-EL-EPM-2025-119-GRAP)

Your responsibilities

The Electrical Group of the Engineering Department (EN-EL) is responsible of operation, maintenance and works on the CERN electrical network. Within the Electrical Group, you will join the Electrical Project Management Section (EPM), which is responsible for the management of projects related to the CERN's electrical transmission and distribution network and to the powering of future scientific infrastructures.

The Einstein Telescope (ET) is a proposed underground facility for a third-generation gravitational-wave observatory. Building on the success of Advanced Virgo and Advanced LIGO, which detected merging black holes and neutron stars, ET will have a much higher sensitivity. This will be achieved with 10km interferometer arms (up from Virgo's 3km), a depth of 150-300 meters underground, and new technologies like cryogenic cooling of optics around 15K, quantum techniques to reduce light fluctuations, and advanced noise-reduction systems. ET will enable exploration of the Universe's gravitational waves back to the cosmological dark ages, offering insights into fundamental physics and cosmology.

As an Electrical Engineer, you will support the mission of the group EN-EL, taking part in the studies of the electrical network and infrastructure of Einstein Telescope.

Your main tasks will include:

• Define electrical requirements with users.
• Preparation of conceptual design specifications and reports.
• Develop and use numerical models of the HV, MV and LV networks of the accelerator to perform the studies.
• Definition of transmission and distribution single line diagrams, failure scenarios and backup solutions for both surface and underground facilities. 
• Contribute to the study for a potential deployment of energy storage, grid control, FACTS, and DC grids.

Additional tasks will include:

• Participate in the study of the connection to public HV grid.
• Perform surveys and measures on CERN existing electrical systems (surface and underground) to retrieve information useful for the studies.
• Support the preparation of bill of quantities and cost estimate (CAPEX and OPEX).
• Define and review the requirements of the electrical systems for what concerns the 3D integration and the civil works.
• Contribute to the survey of new technologies in the electrical distribution domain that could be deployed in the project.

More information here: https://videos.cern.ch/record/2301705

Your profile

Skills:

• Experience in developing and the use of numerical models for High Voltage, Medium Voltage, and Low Voltage networks;
• Experience in conceptual design specifications for electrical installations;
• Previous professional experience in the domain of the electrical network studies is considered an asset;
• Experience in the cost estimation processing would be an advantage;
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Electrical Engineering (or a related field) and have either:
  • a Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience;
  • or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.

Job closing date: 04.08.2025 at 23:59 CEST.

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible short extension.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-October-2025

Job reference: EN-EL-EPM-2025-119-GRAP

Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6287 and 6911 Swiss Francs per month (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.

We are on a Quest. A Journey into discovery like no other. Bring your expertise to our unique work and develop your knowledge and skills at pace. Join world-class subject matter experts on unique projects, in a Quest for greater knowledge and deeper understanding.

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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.