Experienced Project Assistant - Accelerator and Technology Sector

About the role

CERN's Accelerator and Technology Sector (ATS) is looking for an experienced Project Assistant to join its Project Office. The ATS covers the main technical activities of the sector, including the LHC, and the Project Office supports the HL-LHC Project, European projects, the ATS Specification Committee and other strategic projects and studies. The ideal candidate has prior experience in large-scale scientific international projects.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the coordination and delivery of complex European and strategic projects, covering planning, stakeholder engagement, milestone tracking, risk management, documentation, reporting and timely completion of deliverables.
• Manage the end-to-end ATS Specification Committee technical review process, including workflows, schedules, procurement and audit compliance, and the execution of actions, KPIs and reporting.
• Maintain project plans, track progress, consolidate status reports and manage documentation and repositories (EDMS, CERNBox, JIRA).
• Plan and coordinate workshops, technical reviews and large-scale project events, including logistics, follow-up and decision tracking.
• Coordinate communication and outreach for major projects, develop communication plans, support change management and ensure consistent messaging across departments and partners.

Required profile

• Demonstrated experience planning, coordinating and delivering workshops, meetings, reviews or other large-scale events.
• Experience in an international and multicultural environment, and in a scientific, technical or engineering setting.
• Studies focused on Administration or Event Management.
• Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of professional experience after graduation, or a PhD with a maximum of 3 years; a bachelor's degree alone is not eligible.
• Nationality of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State (Pakistani, Lithuanian, Latvian, Cypriot, Croatian and Turkish applicants are excluded).
• No previous CERN fellow or graduate contract.

Required skills

• Strong organisation and planning, able to work autonomously in a multidisciplinary team.
• Good communication skills and ability to build relationships with stakeholders.
• Willingness to engage with technical topics and quickly learn project matters.
• Attention to detail, flexibility and proficiency in standard office software and collaborative digital tools.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

What we offer

• A monthly net stipend of 6,372 or 7,004 Swiss Francs depending on degree and experience.
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
• Health insurance coverage for yourself, spouse and children, and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Family, child and infant allowances, and a relocation package depending on circumstances.
• Contract of 24 months, extendable up to 36 months, fully onsite.
• On-the-job and formal training, including language classes.