A project is ongoing at CERN to increase the efficiency of RF power production, designing and prototyping a tristron (a hybrid between triode and klystron), a gridded tube with an additional penultimate cavity that boosts the RF power production efficiency from 75% (IOT best) to above 90%. You will join the tristron design and engineering team, with the main task of providing engineering support to the development and fabrication of a tristron prototype. Examples of the calculations required include structural, thermal, and multiphysics analyses, by means of both analytical and numerical methods.
You will also propose and study design solutions involving high-temperature refractory materials, with complex geometries and precise manufacturing tolerances. You will participate in the regular project meetings, presenting the results of your studies and actively contributing to the advancement of the project. You will also be required to prepare reports and technical notes, to document the work performed.
Your responsibilities Join a team of physicists, engineers, designers, and fabrication experts, working on the fabrication of a tristron prototype.
Perform thermomechanical simulations to guide the design choices of the prototype.
Study and propose design concepts combining the best materials, geometries, and assembly performance.
Support the fabrication via ad-hoc analyses of the proposed manufacturing techniques.
Regularly report the main studies and conclusions to the project team, by means of presentations and technical notes.
Your profile Proven experience with finite element analysis software for thermal and structural simulations (e.g., ANSYS, COMSOL).
Experience with the design of ductile and brittle materials at room and high temperatures.
Some initial experience with 3D CAD software (e.g. CATIA).
Familiarity with International Standards dealing with the design of structural equipment would be an asset.
Skills Finite element analyses, particularly thermal and mechanical. Multiphysics simulation skills would be an asset.
Ability to analyse and interpret simulation data to guide design decisions and understand operational failure mechanisms.
Understanding of the behaviour and design principles of ductile and brittle materials at room and high temperatures.
3D CAD software (e.g. CATIA) – basic level.
Attitude to teamwork in a multidisciplinary environment.
Excellent communication and documentation skills.
Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.
Eligibility criteria You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
You have a professional background in Mechanical Engineering (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: 03.02.2026 at 23:59 CET.
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-April-2026.
Job reference: EN-MME-EDM-2025-262-GRAP.
Field of work: Mechanical Engineering.
Benchmark job: 200090 - Mechanical Engineer.
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 total annual closure.
Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, 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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Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting‑edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.
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