Occupational Health & Safety Engineer (Chemical)

Imagine what we could learn if we could build a microscope so powerful that it could look deep inside the very materials that the universe is made from. A microscope that could actually let us see the atoms and molecules that substances are made from. Imagine the new discoveries we could make, the new materials we could develop and how much we could learn about ourselves and our universe.

The European Spallation Source is one of the most exciting, innovative and ground-breaking,” Big Science” projects under construction today. Research with neutrons lies behind some of the most important materials and innovations which improve our everyday lives, our health and our environment – and ESS will be the most powerful neutron microscope when fully operational in 2027.

Whilst others have built telescopes that allow us to look into the furthest regions of space, now we will build a device so powerful it will allow us to the study the smallest objects in the finest detail.

Come and build the future of Science with us!

About the role:

The ESS is at an exciting turning point. It is in transition from being a construction site, to being an operating facility. To help us realise our goal of being the most powerful neutron source in the world, we are looking to appoint an Occupational Health and Safety Engineer with a strong focus on chemical safety.

As our next OHS Engineer, you will join the Environment, Safety & Health (ESH) Division which is responsible for supporting, monitoring and assuring the implementation of ESS policies, rules, processes, objectives as well as best practices at all levels of the organization in ESH matters. Within the ESH division, the OHS group is responsible for issues and questions related to OHS aspects for design, installation and commissioning as well as the future operation of the facility.

The role itself is interesting and diverse. You will join a strong team where your main responsibility will be to act as an expert for safely handling chemicals and other hazardous materials (including future use of biological material) within ESS. As part of your daily tasks, you will also provide practical health and safety advice to installation and operational teams, write required rules and guidelines for the ESS framework of OHS, deliver training sessions and - most importantly you be a key player in the implementation of a healthy safety culture at ESS.

About you:

To thrive with us in the Environmental Health and Safety Division, you need to be driven, responsive and good at spotting both problems and opportunities.

First and foremost, we need someone who is suitably qualified and experienced. We really want an enthusiastic safety professional with a practical approach to health and safety issues. Ideally, you will have appropriate technical qualifications, such as a relevant degree or equivalent in a scientific discipline. However relevant experience in a similar role is more critical than the type of qualification you hold.

This role is specifically centred around chemical safety and chemical handling. Therefore, we expect that our ideal candidate will have significant prior experience in a similar Health and Safety role within a scientific or similar hazardous industry. Familiarity with European Health and Safety legistlation and/or relevant Swedish legislation surrounding chemical handling procedures is an essential requirement.

We are building ESS from the ground up, so we need someone who is comfortable not only following procedures, but also creating them. We attach great importance to personality and attitude, so we're looking for a real team player: Someone who is sociable, has excellent communication skills, who likes to collaborate with different people and who is committed to helping this amazing project to realise its full potential. We need a hands-on self-starter who is able to work in a structured, orderly, responsible and – most importantly – safe way.

The working language of ESS is English but for this role we really need someone who can speak, read and write Swedish at a very high level (B2/C1). For this role, we need someone who can start as soon as possible! 

What can we offer?

Aside from the chance to work at truly unique big science project, you can also expect:


• An opportunity to contribute to the future discoveries within neutron science.
• A stunning, brand new workplace filled with innovative minds and brilliant people from across the globe.
• A challenging, exciting and fast-paced work environment.
• Market competitive compensation that is individual and differentiated according to role, responsibilities, individual skills, abilities and achievements.
• 30 days of annual leave, as well as more than 10 days of public holiday and company days off or days with limited working hours.
• Monthly pension contributions on top of your salary.

Interested? We sure hope so.

If you see yourself in what we’re looking for, please provide your CV and motivation letter in English or Swedish by clicking on “apply” and following the instructions. Please be aware that we can only accept direct applications made via the ESS website.

We review applications continuously, so don’t miss out! Submit your application as soon as soon as you can and quote the job reference number ESD-22282 in your application.

Certain roles at ESS require health and safety checks, which may be required in the final stages of the recruitment process.

For more information regarding the ESS recruitment process, please follow this link https://europeanspallationsource.se/ess-recruitment-process or contact Daniel Nordin Baker – Recruitment partner – at daniel.nordin@ess.eu. For further information regarding the position, please contact the hiring manager Helen Boyer on helen.boyer@ess.eu

For trade union information, please contact Unionen representative Conny Wendt at conny.wendt@ess.eu or SACO/Swedish Association of Graduate Engineers representative Yngve Levinsen at yngve.levinsen@ess.eu.

We look forward to receiving your application soon!