Technician mechatronics
The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) is an intergovernmental organization mandated to provide the basis for a coherent system of measurements throughout the world, traceable to the International System of Units (SI). The BIPM is based in Sèvres, in the outskirts of Paris (France), and has an international staff of about 65. Further information can be found on https://www.bipm.org/en/.
The BIPM seeks a Technician mechatronics for the following appointment:
- Grade: B6
- Contract: 5-year full-time fixed-term appointment (with possibility of conversion to an indefinite-term appointment).
- Application deadline: 14 September 2026 (23h59 Paris time)
- Department: Ionizing Radiation Department of the BIPM
- Location: Sèvres (a suburb of Paris) - France
The Ionizing Radiation Metrology (IR) Department develops and maintains international measurement standards and services that support the safe and accurate use of ionizing radiation in healthcare, radiation protection, nuclear medicine, industry, and environmental applications. Its activities include the delivery of high-precision comparison and calibration services, the development of advanced instrumentation and methodologies, and collaboration with international stakeholders to strengthen global metrology capabilities and support emerging technologies and institutes.
Under the responsibility of the Department Director, the IR Department is organized into two scientific groups focused on dosimetry and radionuclide metrology; the technicians and engineers within these groups also operate as a transversal technical group supporting activities across both scientific areas.
The post is in the IR Department of the BIPM.
The Technician Mechatronics provides technical support for dosimetry comparison, calibration, research, and quality control activities in support of the international equivalence of dosimetry standards and the BIPM’s mission in ionizing radiation metrology. The Technician operates, maintains and contributes to the development, and continuous improvement of laboratory equipment, radiation sources, instrumentation, software, and mechanical systems used in dosimetry activities. The role also supports cross-department technical activities, including radiation protection, mechanical developments, and software maintenance within the transversal technical team.
The principal duties and responsibilities of the postholder will be to:
Within the dosimetry group, the Technician will support the physicists and engineer in technical, laboratory, and operational activities:
- Operate radiation sources at the BIPM and external facilities;
- Participate in the preparation, setup, execution, and monitoring of comparisons and calibration activities;
- Contribute to measurement data acquisition and processing;
- Maintain, update, and troubleshoot laboratory equipment, instrumentation, software, and mechanical systems;
- Support radiation protection activities, including source control measurements and maintenance of radiation protection equipment and software;
- Contribute to research and development projects under the supervision of the physicists or the engineer;
- Produce technical documentation (reports, notes);
- Apply and contribute to the BIPM quality management system, including maintenance of technical procedures, calibration traceability, and quality control activities for all critical equipment of the Department;
- Ensure compliance with laboratory safety procedures and operational requirements related to radioactive and hazardous materials.
Within the transverse technical support group:
- Participate to the implementation, testing, maintenance, and update of LabVIEW applications and other technical software tools;
- Provide mechanical and technical support across the Department, including fabrication, assembly, prototyping, and operation of additive manufacturing tools;
- Undertake additional tasks supporting the role as requested by the Department Director.
Supervisory responsibilities
- No direct supervisory responsibilities.
Liaison and Coordination activities
- Participate in assigned technical activities;
- Participate in international activities when required to support assigned technical tasks.
Ideal Candidate Profile
Academic background
- Required: Technical degree (Bac+2/3) in mechatronics or a related technical field, or equivalent qualification.
- Desired: Additional training or specialization in scientific instrumentation, radiation measurement systems, or mechanical design.
Professional background
Required
- Experience in laboratory instrumentation, data acquisition systems, technical software tools, or mechanical assemblies.
Desired
- Experience in software (LabVIEW & others) development and mechanical design;
- Experience with ionizing radiation measuring equipment or electronic acquisition systems;
- Radiation Protection related certifications.
Skills and competencies
Required
- Experience in laboratory activities, instrument maintenance, and technical troubleshooting.
- Ability to diagnose and resolve routine technical problems independently and contribute to resolving more complex issues under the guidance of senior technical or scientific staff.
- Fluency in spoken and written French, ability to read documentation in English.
Desired
- Ability to operate and maintain radiation sources, electronic acquisition systems, and mechanical equipment.
- Experience in additive manufacturing tools.
- Experience working within a quality management framework such as ISO/IEC 17025 with basic knowledge of measurement uncertainty principles and their application in laboratory activities.
- Good spoken and written in English.
- Ability to work in a multicultural environment and to maintain good working relations inside and outside the organization.
Core competencies
- Working Together, Level 1: Co-operates on requests.
- Creative Thinking, Level 1: Acknowledges the need for new approaches.
- Results Orientation, Level 2: Consistently meets established expectations.
- 5-year full-time fixed-term appointment, with an initial probationary period of 6 months, renewable once.
- Competitive gross annual salary starting from 40 628 euros, plus allowances subject to eligibility, including compensation for an expatriate status.
- Salaries and allowances exempt from income tax in France (French nationals and permanent residents in France subject to “taux effectif” of the French tax system).
- 30 days paid holiday per year.
- Contributory pension scheme and comprehensive private health insurance which can be extended to dependants.
More information on the Benefits and General Conditions of Employment at the BIPM
The BIPM encourages applications from qualified candidates regardless of gender.
A full curriculum vitae (CV) and a covering letter (in English or French) should be sent by 14 September 2026 (23h59 Paris time) to recruitment(a)bipm.org.
Applications should include the names of 2 referees who can comment on the applicant's suitability for the post (who will only be contacted with the prior permission of the candidate). Incomplete applications may not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. They may be invited to take part in a distance written test and/or in a remote interview. Thereafter, successful candidates will be invited to a face-to-face interview. A roster of suitable candidates may be established for this post. The selection process may be modified.
The BIPM retains the discretion not to make any appointment to this vacancy, to make an appointment at a different grade/category, to make an appointment with a modified job description, or to offer an appointment term for a shorter duration than the one indicated in this vacancy announcement.