Material and Surface Science

Developing and maintaining advanced materials and surfaces essential for the optimal performance of particle accelerators.

Where Materials Meet Mastery

 

Material and Surface Science is pivotal in enhancing the performance of our particle accelerators. By developing and maintaining advanced materials and surfaces, our team ensures optimal conditions for groundbreaking research in particle physics.

 

This field involves the development, analysis, and maintenance of materials and surfaces, ensuring they meet the stringent requirements for high vacuum conditions and electrical conductivity. Scientists, technicians and engineers in this domain work on precision cleaning, etching, and applying specialized thin films to optimize the performance and stability of particle beams. With cutting-edge techniques and interdisciplinary collaboration, our team pushes the boundaries of material science.

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Consult the job offers
Surface Analysis and Quality Control
Conducting precise surface analyses and quality control to ensure optimal material performance and adherence to stringent requirements.
Advanced Material Processing
Implementing cutting-edge techniques in material processing to develop and enhance the properties of surfaces for particle accelerators
Maintenance and Optimization
Performing meticulous maintenance and optimization of material surfaces to ensure the continuous and efficient operation of particle accelerators.
Project example

Engineering Materials for Big Science: The HL-LHC and Beyond

Key objectives
  • Develop advanced materials and processes to meet the unique demands of CERN’s particle accelerators.
  • Ensure materials perform reliably under extreme conditions, such as cryogenic temperatures and high radiation environments.
  • Innovate and qualify new material solutions for complex engineering challenges.
Impact
  • Enabled the successful operation of the HL-LHC by developing non-magnetic stainless steel, high-strength aluminum-alloy rings, and other specialized materials.
  • Improved the performance and reliability of superconducting magnets with advanced Nb3Sn materials and innovative testing methods.
  • Supported groundbreaking research through interdisciplinary collaboration and cutting-edge material science.
Conclusion
  • Ongoing advancements in material and surface science are crucial for the continued success of CERN's ambitious projects, ensuring that our particle accelerators remain at the forefront of scientific discovery.

Open positions in Material and Surface Science

That's a fact!
Our LHC materials withstand magnetic fields stronger than the energy of an Airbus A320 in a pencil lead's diameter!

Explore the diverse fields of work at CERN

Discover how your role can transition across various departments

Applied Physics

Applied Physics

Applied Physics at CERN plays a vital role in transforming theoretical concepts into tangible technologies that drive both scientific discovery and practical innovation. From developing cutting-edge particle detectors to contributing to global medical advancements, CERN's applied physicists are at the forefront of technology that changes the world.

Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering

Creating an inspiring and welcoming environment for CERN's scientific community by managing and developing CERN's buildings and infrastructures.

Data Science & Data Analytics

Data Science & Data Analytics

Our Data Analytics and Data Science experts transform massive datasets from large physics experiments into valuable insights leveraging cutting-edge algorithms and computational tools to drive innovation across various fields.

Electrical or Electronics Engineering

Electrical or Electronics Engineering

Pivotal in designing, developing, and maintaining the sophisticated systems that power our cutting-edge experiments.

Experimental Physics

Experimental Physics

CERN’s Experimental Physics challenges the limits of our understanding, transforming bold theories into high-energy collisions that reveal the universe’s deepest secrets. From designing experiments to analysing breakthrough data, our physicists push the boundaries of knowledge every day. Ready to turn theory into discovery?

Health, Safety and Environment

Health, Safety and Environment

Playing a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of our people and the sustainability of our operations.

International Relations

International Relations

International Relations drive the Organization's strategy to build and maintain robust political, financial, and public support for CERN's scientific and societal missions.

Mathematics

Mathematics

Mathematics at CERN provides the essential language and tools that underpin theoretical models, data analysis, and algorithm development. From simulating high-energy collisions to optimizing detector performance, mathematical methods drive innovation across all areas of particle physics research.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering at CERN is crucial to advancing technology and enabling cutting-edge scientific discoveries. Our engineers design, build, and maintain sophisticated machinery, complex accelerator systems and experimental facilities that power some of the world’s most complex and impactful experiments.

Software Engineering and IT

Software Engineering and IT

Software is crucial to CERN's mission of producing particle beams for physics experiments, coordinating thousands of devices through a sophisticated accelerator control system. Our engineers and technicians develop software across all layers, from embedded real-time systems to micro-service-based backend servers and user interfaces. We leverage mainstream, open-source technologies such as Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Java, Python, and Kafka, ensuring our knowledge is broadly applicable beyond CERN.

Support Services (Finance, HR, Legal, Procurement)

Support Services (Finance, HR, Legal, Procurement)

Support Services at CERN ensure smooth operations across the Organization, from finance, logistics and legal expertise to human resources, administrative support and scientific information management, enabling our scientists to focus on groundbreaking research.

Theoretical Physics

Theoretical Physics

Theoretical physics at CERN explores the fundamental principles of particles and forces, providing the framework for understanding the universe at its most fundamental level. It transforms abstract concepts into testable predictions, ensuring that CERN remains at the cutting edge of discovery.

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