Mechanical Maintenance Technicians

The ILL is an international research facility at the forefront of neutron science and technology. Its High-Flux Nuclear Reactor delivers the world's most intense neutron beams to a suite of over 40 scientific instruments. Every year, some 1800 international researchers visit the ILL to carry out cutting-edge experiments across a range of scientific disciplines, driving innovation in the fields of health, energy, the environment and quantum materials. The ILL is also involved in the production of radioisotopes for medical applications. The ILL employs over 500 staff from 25 different countries, in a diversity of careers and a multicultural and inclusive environment.

The Reactor Division is responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of ILL's high flux reactor. It oversees reactor operations, fuel management, maintenance, engineering, radiation protection, and technical support. The RDe employs around 100 people, mostly reactor operators and maintenance technicians and nuclear engineers, as well as safety, radiation protection and operations support staff.

We are looking for two mechanical maintenance technicians, who will join the group in charge of radioisotope production and maintenance of the equipment's in the Reactor Division. This group works on all of the reactor's handling facilities, as well as the irradiation processes for medical research.

Your tasks

- Perform fuel-related handling operations: loading and unloading, replacement of water inside the fuel handling columns.

- Maintain the equipment that makes up the reactor's handling facilities: fuel handing columns, handling cranes and gantries, reactor pool gates.

- Perform all the operations relating to the production of radioisotope powders: encapsulation of ampoules, loading and unloading of capsules into and from the reactor, internal transport of irradiated capsules, cutting open of capsules in the hot cell, and conditioning of ampoules for shipment to European chemical processing centres.

- Operate and maintain the hot cells used to cut up irradiated equipment.

- Conduct periodic inspections and requalification of the pressure equipment used by the group (handling column valves, reactor valves, etc.).

- Manage maintenance sites from their preparatory phase through to completion of the work.

- Draft procedures, technical specifications and reports.

- Assist on an occasional basis with the operation of other equipment under the group's responsibility.

- Maintain the power generators.

Desired profile

- Level 5/6 qualification (BTEC HNC/HND, foundation degree or equivalent) in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, industrial maintenance or equivalent.

- First professional experience in industrial maintenance.

- Good writing skills for the drafting of procedures, technical specifications and reports.

- "Hands-on" approach and a very high level of autonomy.

- Strong analytical skills, team spirit, versatility, and the ability to use your initiative.

- Practical experience of carrying out maintenance in nuclear installations would be an advantage.

- Fluency in French is essential; knowledge of English would be appreciated.

?? Benefits

Quality of life - This position is based in Grenoble, a hub for research and technology, ideally located in the heart of the French Alps (just 3 hours from Paris/Provence by train, 1 hour from Lyon international airport and 1 ½ hours from Geneva). It is important for us that our staff achieve a healthy work-life balance. We therefore offer home working (under certain conditions), generous annual paid leave entitlement and a host of other benefits that you will discover when you arrive!

Prospects - We guarantee you a secure permanent position based in Grenoble in a multicultural scientific environment.

Benefits - We offer generous social benefits (expatriation allowance, excellent health cover), moving and relocation assistance (under certain conditions) and an annual productivity bonus. We also offer language courses for you and your partner and subsidies for the use of public transport and the staff canteen, as well as for holidays and a variety of cultural and sports activities. For more details, visit https://www.ill.eu/careers/working-at-the-ill/employment-conditions.