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Introduction
Are you an expert in the domain of characterizing radionuclide inventories in components with radioanalytical and computational methods? Are you interested in joining a dynamic multi-national team of radiation protection specialists? Take responsibility of radiation protection of some of our installations and projects from A to Z at the world's largest particle accelerator complex and its experimental facilities. CERN, Take Part!
You will join the Occupational Health and Safety and Environmental Protection (HSE) Unit, which acts, in matters of safety and the protection of personnel and environment. The Radiation Protection (RP) Group protects workers and public against the risks of exposure to ionising radiation, ensuring that exposure is kept as low as reasonably achievable. The duties of CERN’s RP Group include the assessment of radiation hazards of CERN’s activities, encompassing accelerators and experiments, the definition of protective measures, the legally required monitoring of the exposure of radiation workers to ionising radiation as well as the R&D in the development and benchmarking of models and tools for radiological assessments.
Functions
As a Radiation Protection Physicist in the Characterization and Services Section (RP-CS), you will execute projects, studies and services aimed at assessing radiological risks from activated materials and waste comprising their radiological characterization by determining nuclide inventories with measurements and simulations.
In particular, you will:
Lead the RP radioanalytical laboratories activities, including the coordination of consolidation and upgrade measures as required for upcoming major accelerator shut-down activities;Perform Radiation Protection research and development of novel measurement procedures for the radiological characterization of material and waste;Improve or establish quality assurance procedures and protocols for various analysis techniques (gamma spectroscopy, alpha/beta counting, radiochemical analysis);Produce, contribute to or edit legal, technical and scientific documentation. This includes rules, specifications, reports, notes, international publications and presentations for CERN internal or external use;Develop and maintain computational and mathematical models related to Monte Carlo particle transport simulations, including computer codes for predicting radionuclide inventories and their potential out-diffusion from solid objects;Supervise or coordinate the work of technical personnel, post-docs, associates and students.Master's degree or PhD or equivalent relevant experience in the field of radiation detection instrumentation & computational methods or a related field.
Radiation Protection Expert Certificate (accreditation according to Swiss or French legislation would be a plus).
Experience:
Extensive knowledge of Radiation Protection and the physics processes leading to the creation of radionuclides;Demonstrated experience in the field of radiation measurements, in particular for radiological characterization purposes (gamma spectroscopy, alpha/beta counting, liquid scintillation);Extensive experience in the use of Monte Carlo radiation transport codes, such as FLUKA (experience with deterministic codes related to radionuclide inventories such as ActiWiz, CINDER90 or FISPACT would be a plus);Proven skills in writing technical and scientific documentation, including rules, reports and international publications.Technical competencies:
Knowledge and application of radioactive decay and spectroscopyKnowledge and application of instrumentation and measurement techniques: i.e. knowledge of various measurement techniques for ionising radiation.Knowledge and application of statistical and numerical mathematical methods: i.e. development of application software to calculate the production of radionuclides, and assess their movement within and out diffusion from solid state objects.Knowledge of programming techniques and languages: i.e. expert level object-oriented programming in C++ and Python, well versed in team development practices using GIT.Knowledge of regulatory framework and best practice in radiation protection: i.e. operational radiation protection and knowledge of national radiation protection legislation and/or relevant European regulations.Behavioural competencies:
Communicating Effectively: listening actively to others and letting others speak, ensuring that information, procedures and decisions are appropriately documentedWorking in Teams: contributing to promoting a positive atmosphere in the team through an optimistic and constructive attitude and addressing issuesAchieving Results: delivering prompt and efficient service taking into account customer needs, having a structured and organised approach towards work and being able to set priorities and plan tasks with results in mindLearning and Sharing Knowledge: keeping up-to-date with developments in own field of expertise and readily absorbing new information, sharing knowledge and expertise freely and willingly with others and coaching others to ensure knowledge transfer as well as being receptive to others' ideas and building on them.Language skills:
Spoken and written English: Ability to draw-up technical specifications and/or scientific reports and to make oral presentations in English. Ability to understand and speak French in professional contexts would be an advantage.
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 23.02.2025 at 23:59 CET.
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.Job grade: 6-7
Job reference: HSE-RP-CS-2025-7-LD
Benchmark Job Title: Radiation Protection Physicist