RF Engineer (SY-RF-MKS-2025-120-GRAP)

Your responsibilities

Join the Modulators, Klystrons & High-Gradient Structures (MKS) Section within the Radio Frequency (RF) Group as an RF Engineer!

The SY-RF-MKS Section is in charge of designing, installing, operating, and optimising high power radio-frequency systems for the LHC, Linac 4, and test facilities for future accelerators. Additionally, we develop electron beam acceleration systems for the CERN plasma wake field acceleration project (AWAKE). We drive the production, testing, and industry transfer of CERN's X-band technology for high gradient accelerating structures.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Supporting the development, testing, and validation of high-power RF components for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).
• Participating in the design, implementation and testing of a control unit to stabilize the high power operation of circulators for the LHC klystron test stand and for the future HL-LHC machine operation.
• Providing technical follow-up and performance analysis of the first prototypes of 400?kW-rated RF loads and circulators.
• Supporting validation and qualification processes for new high-power RF components.
• Analysing test results, troubleshooting issues, and proposing design or process improvements.
• Preparing technical documentation, including test protocols and reports.
• Contributing to integration and installation activities as required.

Your profile

Skills:

• Solid understanding of RF and microwave engineering principles, especially in high-power applications.
• Experience with RF components such as circulators, loads, waveguides, and coaxial transitions.
• Hands-on experience with RF test and measurement equipment (e.g., network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, power meters).
• Familiarity with phase stability and impedance matching techniques.
• Good communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to work both independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with Python 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 Electronics or RF 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 extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-January-2026

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.
• Operations on electrical installations or in their vicinity (over 1000 Volt AC or 1500 Volt DC) requiring a specific authorization.
• Exposure to electromagnetic fields under certain exposure conditions.

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

Job reference: SY-RF-MKS-2025-120-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.

Begin your CERN Quest. Take Part!

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.