CERN: Safety Engineer (HSE-OHS-IB-2024-188-LD)-Zurich

  • Location:
  • Salary:
    negotiable / YEAR
  • Job type:
    FULL_TIME
  • Posted:
    2 weeks ago
  • Category:
    Engineering
  • Deadline:
    10/12/2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Introduction

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.

Are you a qualified and proactive Safety Engineer, willing to contribute to a unique work environment at the heart of one of the world’s most complex and exciting scientific experiments? Then this opportunity is for you. Join the largest particle physics research laboratory in the world! CERN, take part!

As Safety Engineer in the Infrastructure & Building Safety Engineering (IB) Section of HSE Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Group, you will actively take part in the Technical Design phase of the Future Circular Collider (FCC) study, providing support in the implementation of the Safety Concept for the underground and surface infrastructure. You will join a multidisciplinary team of Safety experts, covering several engineering domains, as well as becoming an active contributor to the Technical Infrastructure Working Group of the FCC study.

Functions

Your role covers advanced performance-based design of new research facilities, carrying out risk assessments, defining suitable compensatory measures as well as developing, using and maintaining appropriate information management tools.

You will:

  • Perform advanced safety studies integrating Fire Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Indoor Air Quality, gas release and other occupational hazards linked to underground facilities;
  • Check and validate proposed technical design of the FCC infrastructure;
  • Participate in the coordination of OHS to FCC Safety Work Package (WP) as required;
  • Further develop the FCC safety concept, as established during the feasibility study phase, during the pre-Technical Design Report (TDR) phase and ensure its integration in the final design proposal;
  • Provide support to the design and assessment of safety systems and contribute to the research and development of novel safety systems if relevant;
  • Contribute to the editing of the final FCC Technical Design Report.

You will also:

  • Represent the Safety WP of the FCC study in different committees and meetings;
  • Propose technical design solutions for the safety concept;
  • Write CERN Safety documentation including guidelines, instructions and rules;
  • Collaborate with colleagues in other CERN projects in view of exchanging best practices.

International travel may be required at times depending on the needs of the Organization.

Qualifications

Master’s degree or PhD or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Safety Engineering, emergency preparedness and occupational hazards. or a related field.

Professional certification in the field of safety in research or complex industrial infrastructures is an asset.

Experience:

  • Demonstrated experience in application of performance-based design methods, or equivalent;
  • Demonstrated experience in implementing safety in the design of complex (non-standard) infrastructures;
  • Experience in application of risk assessment methodologies and tools such as numerical simulation software.

The following experience would be an asset:

  • Working experience with Authorities on safety;
  • Experience in research activities in the field of safety engineering;
  • Experience in writing safety-related documentation.

Technical competencies:

  • Knowledge of underground structure construction: thorough knowledge of typical safety systems used, performance-based design of safety concepts and cost-benefit optimisation analysis
  • Knowledge and application of numerical modelling in fluid mechanics and/or heat transfer: programming skills would be an asset.
  • Occupational safety and risk management: thorough knowledge of qualitative and quantitative probabilistic methods applied to risk assessment, including occupants’ evacuation studies.
  • Knowledge of Labour Law (including Health and Safety legislation): applied knowledge on national, European and international standards applicable to safety, including projects, products and systems.

Behavioural competencies:

  • Working in Teams: cooperating constructively with others in the pursuit of team goals; balancing personal goals with team goals.
  • Demonstrating Flexibility: readily accepting new tasks or work/projects Adapting quickly and resourcefully to shifting priorities and requirements
  • Communicating Effectively: delivering presentations in a structured and clear way; adjusting style and content to the audience; responding calmly and confidently to questions
  • Solving Problems: producing workable and timely solutions that meet requirements Identifying, defining and assessing problems, taking action to address them
  • Managing Self: working well autonomously; taking on activities and tasks without prompting

Language skills:

Spoken and written English: ability to understand and speak the other language in professional contexts would be an advantage. Ability to draw-up technical specifications and/or scientific reports and to make oral presentations in at least one of the two languages.

Additional Information

Eligibility and closing date:

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.

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than 14.01.2025.

Employment Conditions

Contract type: Limited duration contract (5 years). Subject to certain conditions, holders of limited-duration contracts may apply for an indefinite position.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

This position involves:

  • Work in Radiation Areas.
  • Interventions in underground installations.
  • A valid driving licence.
  • Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job grade: 6-7

Job reference: HSE-OHS-IB-2024-188-LD

Benchmark Job Title: Health, Safety and Environment Engineer

Please make sure you have all the documents needed to hand as you start your application, as once it is submitted, you will not be able to upload any documents or edit your application further

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements