ATLAS Detector Cooling Engineer - European Organization for Nuclear Research (Geneva)

About this position

The summary below is published by European Organization for Nuclear Research on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

• Contribute to testing and validation of detector structures and 2PACL CO₂ cooling system components
• Compare experimental results with simulation models
• Participate in design, construction, and operation of thermal test setups, instrumentation, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems
• Analyse and interpret test data to assess system performance
• Support detector integration activities
• Collaborate with detector teams by providing technical feedback
• Contribute to installation, commissioning, and performance validation of the 2PACL cooling system

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

• Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Refrigeration, or a related field
• Experience: Maximum two years of professional experience since graduation; initial experience in thermal-fluid systems, cooling technologies, or heat transfer gained through academic, research, or engineering projects; experience with simulation or modelling of thermal and fluid systems; hands-on experience with instrumentation, laboratory testing, or data acquisition (DAQ) systems; experience analysing and…
• Languages: English (spoken…), French (commitm…)
• Key skills: Good understanding of thermodynamics and heat transfer principles, ideally including exposure to two-phase cooling systems, Knowledge of fluid mechanics and thermal-fluid system behaviour, Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and technical drawings, Familiarity with instrumentation, sensor integration, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems, Understanding of SCADA systems and industrial control environments, CAD software for 2D and/or 3D mechanical design (e.g. CATIA V5 or similar tools)
• Eligibility: National of a CERN Member or Associate Member State; maximum two years of professional experience since graduation; highest educational qualification is either a Bachelor's or Master's degree; never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before; applicants without University degree are not eligible; applicants with a PhD are not eligible; valid driving licence required

Contract and working arrangements

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

Working arrangements: Fully Onsite.

Hiring unit: ATLAS Detector Cooling team.

Position details

Reference

EP-ATL-PO-2026-240-GRAE

Last Verified

18 October 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for ATLAS Detector Cooling Engineer at CERN based in Geneva (Other). The vacancy reference is EP-ATL-PO-2026-240-GRAE. The role falls under the Research domain.

As part of the ATLAS Detector Cooling team, you will contribute to the qualification, integration, and commissioning of the 2PACL CO₂ cooling system supporting future detector upgrades. You will be involved in thermal testing, instrumentation and DAQ development, data analysis, and the installation and commissioning of cooling infrastructure, gaining unique experience in the deployment of complex systems for a world-leading scientific experiment.

Your responsibilities

- Contribute to the testing and validation of detector structures and 2PACL CO₂ cooling system components, including comparison of experimental results with simulation models. - Participate in the design, construction, and operation of thermal test setups, instrumentation, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems. - Analyse and interpret test data to assess system performance and support detector integration activities. - Collaborate with detector teams by providing technical feedback and supporting detector integration and commissioning work. - Contribute to the installation, commissioning, and performance validation of the 2PACL cooling system, including cooling distribution lines and vacuum infrastructure.

Your profile

- Initial experience in thermal-fluid systems, cooling technologies, or heat transfer gained through academic, research, or engineering projects. - Experience with simulation or modelling of thermal and fluid systems. - Experience using CAD software for 2D and/or 3D mechanical design (e.g. CATIA V5 or similar tools). - Hands-on experience with instrumentation, laboratory testing, or data acquisition (DAQ) systems. - Experience analysing and interpreting experimental or simulation data.

Skills

- Good understanding of thermodynamics and heat transfer principles, ideally including exposure to two-phase cooling systems. - Knowledge of fluid mechanics and thermal-fluid system behaviour. - Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and technical drawings. - Familiarity with instrumentation, sensor integration, and data acquisition (DAQ) systems. - Understanding of SCADA systems and industrial control environments. - Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

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 Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering, Refrigeration (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is either a Bachelor's or Master's degree. - You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before. - Applicants without University degree are not eligible. - Applicants with a PhD are not eligible.

Job closing date: 28.10.2026 at 23:59 CET.

Open positions: 2

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-January-2027

This position involves:

- Participation in a regular stand-by duty, including nights, Sundays and official holidays (for the Mechanical Engineering position). - Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays (for the Mechanical Engineering position). - Work in Radiation Areas. - Interventions in underground installations. - A valid driving licence.

Job reference: EP-ATL-PO-2026-240-GRAE

Field of work: Mechanical Engineering & Electrical Engineering

Benchmark job: 200090 - Mechanical Engineer;200040 - Electromechanical Engineer

Global Benefits

- A monthly net stipend of either 5266 or 5793 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.

Overview of CERN -Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

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Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 7 October 2026, 11 days ago.

No closing date is published in the source feed for this position. EU vacancies typically remain open for four to eight weeks; check the official vacancy notice for the cut-off date and time.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 18 October 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at CERN see the CERN institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Geneva see our Geneva location page; for related vacancies in the Research field browse our Research domain page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.