Thin Film Materials Scientist (TE-VSC-SCC-2026-133-GRAP)

Job Description

The Vacuum, Surfaces and Coatings (VSC) Group within CERN's Technology (TE) Department is responsible for the full lifecycle of accelerator vacuum systems, from development and design through to installation, operation and maintenance. The group operates facilities for measuring vacuum performance, assessing the compatibility of materials and surface technologies, and performing thin film coating, surface finishing, and vacuum-related physical and chemical characterisation.

As part of this group, you will join the Surface Coating and Chemistry (SCC) section, which provides CERN-wide expertise and services in wet surface treatments, surface and chemical analysis, and surface coating using physical vapour deposition techniques. In this role, you will contribute to the development of coating systems, thin-film materials and plasma-based surface treatments, with a particular focus on applications related to superconducting radiofrequency (SRF) cavities and adjacent technologies.

Your responsibilities

• Deposit superconductive (thin) films onto various copper substrates (1.3 GHz, 400 MHz, 800 MHz cavities) via HiPIMS.
• Perform plasma-based surface treatment for cleaning and surface passivation/functionalisation.
• Perform in situ plasma diagnostics for process R&D (e.g. mass spectrometry, OES, Langmuir probe).
• Perform materials characterisation and data analysis (e.g. SEM, XRD, XRF, profilometry).
• Investigate the use of a dielectric barrier as a method for suppressing thermoelectric currents.
• Commission and operate a movable cathode sputtering system for 1.3 GHz cavities.
• Contribute to the design of new sputtering systems.
• Prepare coating systems within a cleanroom environment.

More information here. 

Your profile

• Practical laboratory experience in plasma-based thin film deposition, particularly HiPIMS.
• Practical experience working with UHV systems.
• Planning and executing experimental work, troubleshooting equipment or process issues, and analysing characterisation data to support coating development and optimisation.
• Preparing technical procedures, documenting experimental methods and results, and contributing to safe, reproducible laboratory practices.
• Working in a dynamic technical environment.
• Participating in technical meetings, seminars, and project discussions, sharing findings and communicating technical information within and outside the organisation.
• Using plasma diagnostic techniques in the context of thin film fabrication would be an advantage.
• Experience working in a cleanroom would be an advantage.
• Experience performing Rietveld refinement would be an advantage.

Skills

• Understanding the mechanisms behind plasma-based thin film deposition techniques particularly HiPIMS and film characterisation techniques, particularly X-ray diffraction analysis.
• Knowledge of diagnostic techniques in the context of thin film fabrication.
• Knowledge in plasma-based surface treatment methods, including cleaning, passivation, and functionalisation.
• Analyse characterisation data and apply results to coating development and optimisation.
• Plan and execute laboratory experiments independently.
• Good communication skills with the ability to share technical information in meetings, seminars and conferences.
• Be confident working independently.
• Be open to learning new techniques.
• Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of the other language.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Materials Science or related fields (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.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 02.09.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Hybrid

Target start date: 01-November-2026

This position involves:

• A valid driving licence.
• Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job reference: TE-VSC-SCC-2026-133-GRAP

Field of work: Material and Surface Science

Benchmark job: 200080 - Material Science/Chemical Engineer/Chemist

Global Benefits

• A monthly stipend between 6372-7004 Swiss Francs per month (tax free) 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.

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