Working at CERN - Sixty Symbols

What's it like working at CERN and the Large Hadron Collider - and how do you get a job there? Questions many of you wanted asked during our LHC visit!

This video features David Barney and Steven Goldfarb, from CMS and ATLAS respectively.

This project for The University of Nottingham

Sixty Symbols videos by Brady Haran

A run-down of Brady's channels:

[sixtysymbols]

you just get to sit there and watch it in your warm home/office without all the flights and airports... the joy of being a sixtysymbols subscriber!

[StevenGoldfarb]

I am a BIG fan of Sixty Symbols. I hope Brady and his team will be back to visit, soon!

[HawaiiMclovin]

I like the way these videos are shot. Gives it a unique prospective.

[davidbarney]

yes, you are right that luck certainly plays a part. Being in the right place at the right time is definitely a contributing factor. But having drive and determination and an enthusiasm to be part of this is, I think, the biggest factor. If you want something enough and are prepared to work for it, you will go far....

[davidbarney]

There is a really big theory group here at CERN, who speak in maths. And they are joined by a huge number of theorists from institutes all around the world. Their blackboards are truly a sight to behold!

[quaxk]

my opinion is that you're getter better at this, you now understand the power of a strait cut, precise timing and parallel editing, the attraction that create a close-up in documentary filmmaking, and you're fast, that too close complaint is nonsense

[marygeorge]

Visiting CERN in April, can't wait!

[davidbarney]

Apologies for the delay in replying! I am from the UK originally, but have worked here (for CERN on CMS) for nearly twenty years! (yes, I hide my age well, honest!) The Jura are higher than any mountain in the UK, which I always find amusing. And it is truly beautiful here! Come join the fun!

[davidbarney]

Although both Steve and I (the talking heads in the video) are both physicists, there are thousands of people working at/for CERN who are not. There are engineers of various descriptions (mechanical, electrical, microelectronic, civil...), technicians at all levels, admin staff etc. So there are loads of different opportunities. What unites us all is that we are all working at the cutting-edge of science and technology in a really exciting multicultural environment. Come join the fun!

[TheOnlyMeta]

Went in a school trip to Cern and Geneva on the weekend, crazy if you guys were there at the same time!

[DigitizedSelf]

Was there as a summer student - was pretty sweet :)

[boyinapeatbog]

It's up close and personal. I like it because it's as if they're speaking directly to me.

[subio]

I absolutely love the close up shots. They're fantastic.

[StevenGoldfarb]

Go to the CERN public web site. I think you'll find a link for students there. Too late to apply for this summer, but there are other programs.

[santeri-leinonen]

This is actually quiet fun to watch a video about CERN and especially a Q & A video right after my own visit to CERN. I came back form my field trip to CERN just a week ago and it was awesome! I pretty much knew all the things from the video, but it was fun to see places that you just witnessed with your own eyes. We didn't get to see the detectors though, 'cause the LCH was on during our three day visit but it was cool non the less!

[bigglessy]

I'm one of the lucky ones. My universities space society went on a trip to CERN last month and I was one of the lucky ones to go. I loved it :) I even bought a CERN hardhat!

[sixtysymbols]

I didn't travel all the way to Geneva to stand five metres away and film some boring TV news interview that we've been conditioned to watch for the last 30 years - many people watch online video on mobile devices and small displays and I quite like getting up close and personal from time to time...

I take your criticism on board though!

[SillyEddyPhotography]

CERN.. One of the top names on my list of places to apply for industrial placements!

[pirquo]

did you cover the very strange spiritual videos produced by CERN ? or Shiva statue erected on the grounds?

[BlameItOnGreg]

What about janitorial staff? or food services? I think it would be interesting if you interviewed a few of them at CERN.