Geotechnical Engineer (FCC Site Investigations)

About the role

CERN is looking for a graduate Geotechnical Engineer to join the civil engineering team working on the Future Circular Collider (FCC) in Geneva. You will support the site investigations campaign (about 100 deep boreholes), including project management, permitting and stakeholder engagement, and the design studies for the underground and surface civil engineering infrastructure.

Key responsibilities

• Support the site investigations project manager with site-based and office work for planning, execution and reporting of the campaign.
• Assist with design reviews of tunnels, shafts, caverns and surface structures, checking consultant deliverables against the brief, design codes and CERN requirements.
• Support geotechnical calculations and analyses, and help assess construction methods such as TBM and conventional excavation.
• Contribute to the geotechnical and hydrogeological risk register and to options studies for alignment and site layout.
• Help with cost estimates, construction schedules and quantity take-offs for the civil works.
• Translate site investigation findings into design parameters and geotechnical baseline information.
• Prepare technical notes, drawing mark-ups and presentation material for internal reviews, committees and public engagement.
• Liaise with other CERN groups (integration, survey, cooling and ventilation, safety, etc.) on interfaces with the civil works.

Required profile

• National of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation experience, or a PhD with no more than 3 years of experience.
• First experience in a consultancy or contractor specialising in geotechnical works, surface or underground.
• Never held a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Required skills

• Strong academic background in geotechnical engineering.
• Fundamentals in soil and rock mechanics.
• Basic experience of geotechnical modelling.
• Familiarity with GIS and geotechnical data management.
• Ability to work in an international team, manage several tasks and deadlines, and communicate clearly.

What we offer

• Monthly net stipend of 6,372 or 7,004 Swiss Francs depending on degree.
• 30 days of paid leave 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; hybrid work, 40 hours per week; target start 1 February 2027.
• On-the-job and formal training including language classes.