Senior Geotechnical Engineer (SCE-PPM-2025-208-LD)

What you’ll do

You will join CERN’s civil engineering team working on the proposed Future Circular Collider (FCC), a 91 km circumference machine planned to be housed in an underground complex up to 500 metres below ground in the Geneva Basin. As a senior civil/geotechnical engineer with proven expertise in the design and construction of underground civil engineering structures – such as tunnels, shafts, caverns – you will be responsible for all geotechnical aspects of the design and potential construction of the extensive and complex civil engineering required for the FCC. You will work on high-value, technically complex projects, including the preparation and management of large‑scale contracts, while collaborating with other disciplines to develop robust civil engineering solutions.

Your key tasks

• Undertake numerical studies to support the preliminary designs and optioneering studies for the FCC underground structures undertaken in‐house at CERN.
• Oversee and critically assess the geotechnical work carried out by external consultants, contractors and specialist advisors.
• Prepare the geotechnical technical specifications including a geotechnical baseline report (GBR) required to support potential consultancy contracts related to the design and construction oversight of significant underground and surface structures envisaged for the FCC. These include over 100 kilometres of tunnels, eight large space caverns, 12 shafts at depths up to 400 m and numerous other underground structures.
• Undertake the contract management of the consultancy and site investigation contracts to be put in place by CERN in order to obtain the geotechnical data needed to inform subsequent design work.
• Manage the ongoing contract for external specialist support that CERN has with the ground engineering department of the University of Geneva.
• Work in close collaboration with the other members of the civil engineering team and provide them with expert support in the field of geotechnical engineering.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent relevant experience in the field of civil engineering and geotechnical engineering or a related field.
• Extensive experience within relevant fields of underground civil/geotechnical engineering.
• Proven experience in writing technical documentation for site investigations and design of underground structures.
• Proven experience in managing contracts for design and site investigation services for large civil engineering projects.

Your skills

• Design of underground structures.
• Knowledge of underground structure construction.
• Specification and follow‑up of technical aspects of a contract.
• Achieving results: delivering high‑quality work on time and fulfilling expectations.
• Solving problems: identifying, defining and assessing problems, taking action to address them; being open to original ideas and creative options by which to address issues; continually driving change by seeking new ways to improve outcomes.
• Demonstrating flexibility: adapting quickly and resourcefully to shifting priorities and requirements.
• Working in teams: building and maintaining constructive and effective work relationships.
• Solving problems: being open to original ideas and creative options by which to address issues; continually driving change by seeking new ways to improve outcomes.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Employment Conditions

• This position involves a valid driving licence.
• Contract type: Limited‑duration contract (5 years). Subject to certain conditions, holders of limited‑duration contracts may apply for an indefinite position.
• Working hours: 40 hours per week.
• Job flexibility: Hybrid.
• Job grade: 6‑7.
• Job reference: SCE‑PPM‑2025‑208‑LD.
• Field of work: Civil Engineering.
• Benchmark job title: Civil Engineer.

Global Benefits

• A competitive salary (tax‑free), increasing in line with your years of relevant experience.
• 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, removal, travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
• Possibility to extend your contract up to 8 years + eligibility for indefinite contract tenure.

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