In June, we welcomed Dr Michael Davis, Senior Software Engineer at CERN, to Clyde Road for our Engineering and Computing at CERN event, delivered with the Young Engineers Society and supported by the Electronic and Computing division. Here are the highlights from the question-and-answer session.

Why is it important for Engineers Ireland to support Ireland's membership?
Damien Owens: There are wonderful opportunities for students and graduates, for engineers and engineering companies to help build the next CERN, that 100-kilometre ring. We want to make sure that engineers in Ireland are part of that work. It's use it or lose it. There will be a five-year review in 2031 of how well we engaged with CERN.

Michael Davis: There are two major projects offering work opportunities, the High-Luminosity LHC (HL_LHC) and the Future Circular Collider (FCC).

The immediate opportunities are to work on HL-LHC. This is a major upgrade to the existing LHC accelerator and detectors for higher-energy collisions. Work is starting now and will continue until the start of LHC Run-4 in 2031.

The FCC (the 100 Km-ring) is in the future. The feasibility study is complete. The European Strategy Group has endorsed the FCC-ee as CERN’s next flagship project. The go/no-go decision by the CERN Council will be voted on in 2028. If approved, construction will begin in 2030, with the machine going into operation around 2047.

In my opinion, the most important criterion for success will be that Irish people have been to work at CERN and have brought back the skills that they learned there.

What are the different routes into CERN for Irish engineers?
Michael Davis: The Summer student programme has one intake a year for projects of 8-12 weeks duration, with approximately 300 positions annually. Students from non-member states can apply for this programme.

The Technical student programme has three intakes a year for projects of 8-12 months duration with approximately 250 positions annually.

We have graduate programmes for undergraduates and postgraduates. Those programmes are advertised on CERN's website, careers.cern. The ORIGIN programme is for graduates with a Bachelors or Masters degree and a maximum of two years’ post-graduation experience. The QUEST programmes is for graduates with a Masters or PhD and maximum six years’ post-graduation experience. Positions at CERN are open to nationals from any CERN member state or associate member state.

What advice do you have for people applying to work or study at CERN?
Michael Davis: I want to see what motivates you. I like to see a personal project, if you did something in electronics or computing, if you built something because you enjoy it. Although you need the technical skills, we're also looking for people who are self-motivated, who can organise themselves, plan a project, learn and communicate what they do. All those skills are equally important.

If you are applying to CERN, you fill in a motivation statement, and I will look at that before the CV. Why do you want to work at CERN? What interests you? What are you passionate about? Make me interested enough to look at your CV.

Are there opportunities to meet other people when working at CERN?
Michael Davis: At CERN you have a one-hour lunch break, and you spend that time talking. I think that open environment and discussion lead to the generation of a lot of ideas.

It's very easy to meet people at CERN. The Staff Association has about 50 clubs, I'm the secretary of one of them, and they cover everything from sports clubs to games, science fiction, books, so you can get to know people over shared activities.

What other scientific organisations or projects is Engineers Ireland advocating that Ireland join?
Damien Owens: We have advocated for the establishment of ‘Big Science’, a concept that exists in Sweden and the Netherlands, to engage with research organisations across several areas, including nuclear fusion, for example. It is about getting political minds engaged to see opportunities in these areas for developing Irish industry and raising the game.

We asked some of the guests for their thoughts on the evening:

Dave Murphy, President, Engineers Ireland
It was a really interesting event, and well attended. Michael was a great speaker, very engaging. He could give broad insights, but he could go deep on specific areas as well. It is great to see an Irish person right in the heart of it.

Rob O'Sullivan, Chair of the Electronic and Computing division
It was so interesting to hear how Irish engineers have contributed to CERN's development since its inception. To have Michael share advice on the personal introduction piece is something that you can't find on the web or AI, it is coming straight from the person who is going to look at your CV. 

Jeffrey Roe
It was a brilliant event. It was very interesting hearing what it would be like to live there, to be part of the community and enjoy social activities along with their work. The students in the audience really came through with their questions. They are looking for these opportunities to expand their horizons, to be exposed to big infrastructure.