Radioactive Waste Management Project Leader (HSE-RP-RWM-2026-63-GRAP)

You will lead projects to establish disposal pathways with the French agency ANDRA and, where applicable, via the Cyclife-France processing facility.

This involves defining the most appropriate methods and tools to produce waste packages that comply with French specifications, and demonstrating the efficiency and effectiveness of the process through the elimination of a pilot waste batch.

Your responsibilities

• Assess all operational aspects of new and existing disposal pathways for very-low-level to short-lived intermediate-level waste.
• Evaluate processing opportunities, both at CERN and externally, in accordance with the CERN regulatory framework.
• Prepare and submit project documentation to establish or upgrade pathways, including project proposals, milestone plans, and progress indicators, for approval within CERN.
• Prepare and submit pathway documentation to the French agency for approval.
• Define operational documentation for approved pathways, including procedures, work instructions, quality control, and traceability records.
• Implement, test, and optimise pathway workflows within the CERN radioactive waste treatment centre.
• Organise the waste package production, validation, and disposal.
• Develop and apply measurement techniques required to characterise radioactive waste packages, such as tritium outgassing tests.
• Contribute to the development of CERN's radioactive waste traceability system for radioactive equipment.
• Contribute to the clearance of rad. waste from regulatory control.
• This role includes team supervision responsibilities.

Your profile

• Proven experience in radioactive waste management, including operational and technical activities.
• Operational experience in radiation areas, including handling and management of radioactive waste.
• Experience in coordinating and supervising radioactive waste processing and packaging activities, ensuring compliance with regulatory and safety requirements.
• Experience in organising and executing radioactive waste transport, including regulatory compliance, logistics coordination, and documentation.
• Experience with waste disposal to French national repositories, including preparation of waste packages and compliance with acceptance criteria for the Andra CIRES (VLLW) and CSA (LLW) facilities.
• Experience in preparing and managing technical and project documentation, including regulatory submissions, procedures, and reporting.
• Practical experience in radiation protection implementation, particularly in radioactive workshops and/or decommissioning (dismantling) sites.

Skills

• Expertise in radioactive waste management, including package definition, volume reduction techniques, characterisation requirements, and hazard assessment.
• Knowledge and application of regulatory requirements and waste acceptance criteria for the disposal of very low to intermediate-level waste in France.
• Proficiency in characterisation techniques, including gamma spectrometry, tritium outgassing, data analysis, and technical reporting.
• Solid understanding of radiation protection principles and regulation, including operational implementation.
• Experience with radioactive waste clearance application.
• Project management skills, including planning, risk management, coordination and use of project management tools/documents.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities and priorities efficiently.
• Ability to prepare clear and structured technical documentation, including procedures, reports, and technical notes.
• French knowledge an asset.
• Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the other language.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Nuclear 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.

Job closing date: 09.04.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-July-2026

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• A valid driving licence.
• Exposure to asbestos.
• Exposure to lead.
• Exposure to risk of falling from heights during scaffolding assembly and dismantling operations.

Given the occupational health risks associated with this position, the selected candidate must obtain medical clearance before a contract offer is confirmed.

Job reference: HSE-RP-RWM-2026-63-GRAP

Field of work: Health, Safety and Environment

Benchmark job: 200110 - Radiation Protection Physicist

Global Benefits

• A monthly stipend between 6372-7004 Swiss Francs per month (tax free) depending 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.

Overview of CERN - Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, we are pushing the frontiers of science and technology. Our groundbreaking work brings together not only physicists but also a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative fields. Together, we foster an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.

If you are ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive community pushing the boundaries of knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive. Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe! TAKE PART!

More information about us, here: careers.cern