Geotechnical Engineer (SCE-PPM-FC-2026-169-GRAP)

CERN; Genf; Hybrid; CHF 71,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

6372–7004 CHF monthly stipend (net)

30 days annual leave + 2 weeks closure

Health insurance coverage

CERN Pension Fund membership

Relocation package

Language training

Possibility to extend up to 36 months

Job summary

CERN seeks a Geotechnical Engineer (SCE-PPM-FC-2026-169-GRAP) to support the FCC site investigations program and design studies for underground civil engineering infrastructure. You will join the civil engineering team, contributing to planning, evaluation and reporting across site investigations, design reviews, risk assessment, cost estimation and interface coordination.

The role requires a strong geotechnical background, familiarity with geotechnical modelling and GIS, and the ability to work

Qualifications

• Strong academic background in geotechnical engineering.
• Experience in consultancy/geotechnical works (surface or underground).
• Strong fundamentals in soil and rock mechanics.
• Basic experience of geotechnical modelling.
• Familiarity with GIS and geotechnical data management.

Responsibilities

• Support site investigations project manager with site-based and office tasks for planning, execution and reporting of the site investigations campaign.
• Assist with design reviews of tunnels, shafts, caverns and surface structures, checking deliverables against briefs and codes.
• Support geotechnical calculations and analyses.
• Assess construction methods, including TBM and conventional excavation, with ground conditions.
• Contribute to geotechnical and hydrogeological risk registers and options studies for alignment/site layout.
• Support cost estimates, schedules and quantity take-offs for civil works.
• Translate site findings into design parameters and geotechnical baseline information.
• Prepare technical notes, drawings, and presentation material for reviews and public engagement.
• Liaise with CERN groups on interfaces with civil works.

Skills

Geotechnical engineering

Soil mechanics

Rock mechanics

Geotechnical modelling

GIS

Education

Master's degree (2-6 yrs)

PhD (≤3 yrs)

Job description

Geotechnical Engineer (SCE-PPM-FC-2026-169-GRAP)

• Full-time
• Compensation: CHF 6,372 - CHF 7,004 - monthly

You will support the Future Circular Collider ( FCC ) site investigations campaign (approximately 100 deep boreholes) - including the project management, permitting and stakeholder engagement - and the design studies for the project's underground and surface civil engineering infrastructure, as a graduate engineer with experience in geotechnical and/or underground civil engineering, joining the civil engineering team working on the FCC at CERN.

Your responsibilities:

• Support site investigations project manager with both site-based and office support for all execution of the planning, execution and reporting of the site investigations 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.
• Help assess construction methods, including TBM and conventional excavation, and their interaction with ground conditions.
• Contribute to the project geotechnical and hydrogeological risk register and to options studies for alignment and site layout.
• Support cost estimates, construction schedules and quantity take-offs for the civil works.
• Help translate site investigation findings into design parameters and geotechnical baseline information.
• Prepare technical notes, drawings 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.

Your profile:

• Strong academic background in geotechnical engineering.
• First experience working in a consultancy/contractor specialising in geotechnical works, either surface or underground.
• Strong fundamentals in soil and rock mechanics.
• Basic experience of geotechnical modelling.
• Familiarity with GIS and geotechnical data management.

Skills:

• Ability to work in an international team and adapt readily to changing requirements.
• Willingness to work on a variety of tasks as the team requires.
• Organised, able to manage several tasks and deadlines at once.
• A clear communicator, in writing and in person, with specialists and non-specialists alike.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.
• You have a professional background in Geotechnical or Civil 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.

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Hybrid

This position involves:

• A valid driving licence.

Job reference: SCE-PPM-FC-2026-169-GRAP

Field of work: Civil Engineering

Benchmark job: 200010 - Civil Engineer

• A monthly net stipend of either 6372 or 7004Swiss Francs per monthdepending on your degree.
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your 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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