Thermodynamics Engineer (TE-CRG-CL-2025-72-GRAP)

Your responsibilities

As a Thermodynamics Engineer, you will join the CryoLab (CL) Section of the Cryogenics (CRG) Group within the Technology (TE) Department. This section is in charge of consultancy and support in the cryogenic fields of scientific and technical studies within CERN, focusing on design, metrology, calibration, measurements, quality assurance, tests and validation of technical solutions.

Your main project will be to conduct a study on the performance of low-temperature remote cooling circuits at 4.0K in two-phase and supercritical helium conditions.

The study will focus on the experimental validation of numerical simulation results of pressure drops and heat transfers in both cooling regimes with a special focus on flow variations in the mini-channel geometries. The project should confirm the density variation effects' origins as the main contributor to instabilities in capillary flow of helium in two-phase and supercritical conditions.

Your work will include the conducting of experimental test campaigns, instrumentation, and data acquisition. The analysis of the data will support the numerical prediction of the capillary flow behaviour of novel cooling applications with reduced helium content. The upscale test object is a superconducting film-coated radiofrequency cavity with integrated cooling channels in its copper wall.

Your profile

Skills

• Deep-knowhow of fluid dynamics and thermodynamics.
• Experience with experimental work.
• Experience with FEA simulation tools (ANSYS, COMSOL).
• Experience with scripting programming languages (Python, MATLAB).
• Good knowledge of cryogenics/low temperature physics would be an asset.
• 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 Thermodynamics or Aerospace 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: 04.06.2025 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-September-2025

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• A valid driving licence.
• 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: TE-CRG-CL-2025-72-GRAP

Field of work: Mechanical 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.