Material Scientist - ISOL Targets

The Radioactive Beam Production section at CERN is seeking a Material Scientist, Materials Engineer, Chemist, or related specialist to develop next-generation target materials for radioactive ion beam production at the ISOLDE facility. The role involves working on material development, characterisation, and production in chemical and nano laboratories, contributing to advancing radioactive ion beam production at the interface of materials science, chemistry, nuclear physics, and atomic physics.

Responsibilities

• Develop novel target materials for radioactive ion beam production.
• Design, synthesise, process, and optimise advanced materials with tailored microstructures and extraction properties.
• Contribute to the commissioning of the new chemical and nano laboratory.
• Utilise the section's chemical laboratory and nano-laboratory facilities to develop and produce innovative target materials, including nano-actinide-based systems.
• Plan and conduct material characterisation campaigns using appropriate analytical and structural characterisation techniques.
• Actively participate in the qualification, operation, testing, and evaluation of the materials.
• Analyse experimental performance data and translate findings into improved material designs and production processes.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of physicists, chemists, engineers, and technicians within CERN and with international partners.
• Contribute to scientific publications, technical reports, and presentations at international conferences and workshops.

Requirements

• You are a national of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State (excluding Pakistani and Lithuanian nationals for 2026 start date).
• Maximum of 2 years of professional experience since graduation in the respective field by application deadline.
• Highest educational qualification is either a bachelor’s or master’s degree; you must have a university degree and cannot hold a PhD.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Experience in materials development, synthesis, and processing.
• Experience in powder processing technologies and material fabrication techniques.
• Experience with material characterisation methods and interpretation of analytical data.
• Development and characterisation of nanosized or porous materials.
• Operation and use of glovebox systems.
• Handling and processing of radioactive materials.
• Safe handling and processing of nanometric materials.
• Actinide material development and characterisation.
• Studies focused on Materials Science/Engineering, Chemistry.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Skills

• Materials Development
• Materials Synthesis
• Powder Processing Technologies
• Material Fabrication Techniques
• Material Characterisation Methods
• Analytical Data Interpretation
• Nanosized Materials Development
• Porous Materials Characterisation
• Glovebox Operation
• Radioactive Materials Handling
• Nanometric Materials Processing
• Actinide Material Development
• Actinide Material Characterisation
• Material Science
• Material Engineering
• Chemistry

Languages

English, French