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LHC to run in 2012 – an interview with Rolf Heuer and Steve Myers

Following the annual LHC Performance Workshop held in Chamonix last week, and a report from the CERN Machine Advisory Committee on Monday, CERN management took some important decisions about the upcoming LHC run. The Bulletin spoke to Director General, Rolf Heuer, and Director for Accelerators and Technology, Steve Myers. >>

LHC Report: The shutdown work nearing completion

The work planned for the LHC injector chain during the winter shutdown is nearing completion. The PS Booster (PSB) and PS will be closed to access next week, and the control of machine access will be transferred to the CERN Control Centre in preparation for the resumption of machine operation. Hardware tests are being performed in all the machines. >>

Fermilab Future

The closure of Fermilab’s Tevatron this autumn will mark the end of an historic era in particle physics. But as physicists continue to comb through data from the Tevatron detectors, the laboratory will continue to pursue a greater understanding of the make-up of the Universe on multiple experimental frontiers. >>

ALICE on the move

A new management, new modules for its sub-detectors and an increased capacity to probe the properties of the quark-gluon plasma. The new year bodes well for ALICE and ion physics as quarks and gluons prepare to unveil their most profound mysteries. >>

Powering CERN and the LHC

CERN's electricity network is denser than that of the Canton of Geneva, is powered by two different national grids and has to provide users with an availability rate as close to 100% as possible. To ensure the smooth running of the machines throughout the period of LHC physics operation, the teams from the EN Department are implementing a continuous programme of consolidation and modernisation on all the Laboratory's sites, but the biggest projects will have to wait until the long technical shutdown scheduled for 2013. >>

The new "Jardin de Capucine" crèche brings a breath of fresh air for young CERN parents

On 19 January 2011, CERN's Director-General, Rolf Heuer, signed an agreement with the company "Le Jardin de Zébulon" for the provision of 40 places at the "Jardin de Capucine", a new private crèche due to open this autumn. >>

Best value for money

Last week, the Industrial Services and General Infrastructure section of the Procurement and Industrial Services group received dozens of bids in a single day! The bids were submitted in response to four invitations to tender to be adjudicated on a ‘best value for money’ basis. This adjudication method, introduced at CERN in 2008, ensures that quality is given as much priority as cost containment in the process of awarding industrial services contracts. >>

CERN and Google team up for Science Fair

CERN partners up with Google to present the world’s first online global science competition: the Google Science Fair.   >>

CERN Courier has a new look

During more than 50 years of existence, CERN’s well-known magazine has changed several times in appearance. Now, for the first time since the 1990s, it has a new look for the new decade. >>

Young scientists in the making

Some 700 local primary-school children will be trying out the scientific method for themselves from February to June. After "Draw me a physicist", the latest project "Dans la peau d’un chercheur" ("Be a scientist for a day") is designed to give children a taste of what it's like to be a scientist. Both schemes are the fruit of a partnership between CERN, "PhysiScope" (University of Geneva) and the local education authorities in the Pays de Gex and the Canton of Geneva. >>

New learning resource features CERN

A new educational website, STEM Works, has been launched this month, presenting science and technology in an industrial context for students aged 11-14. Developed with contributions from CERN, the site highlights the Laboratory as a “real-world” example of the opportunities available to science graduates. While the site was developed in Northern Ireland, STEM Works addresses issues of global relevance. >>

Breaking away to South America

In December 2010, Peter Dreesen of CERN’s Technology Department (TE) returned from a long trip to South America. In four months he traversed the entire Andean range, from the equator to a latitude of 55 degrees south—on a bicycle! >>

When science inspires art

On Tuesday 18 January 2011, artist Pipilotti Rist came to CERN to find out how science could provide her with a source of inspiration for her art and perhaps to get ideas for future work. Pipilotti, who is an eclectic artist always on the lookout for an original source of inspiration, is almost as passionate about physics as she is about art. >>

French comedy at the Globe

French comedian Luc Chareyron will give two performances at the Globe about the linguistic rules of the French language. >>

TV News Magazine Presentation: Einstein by Schweizer Fernsehen (2009)

In this episode of Einstein, students from the University of Zurich explain the LHC physics experiments with chocolate and coffee cups. >>

Ombuds’ corner: Management or communication?

In this series, the Bulletin aims to explain the role of the Ombuds at CERN by presenting practical examples of misunderstandings that could have been resolved by the Ombuds if he had been contacted earlier. Please note that, in all the situations we present, the names are fictitious and used only to improve clarity. >>

News from the Library: Zentralblatt MATH: it's not all about maths

The CERN Library provides access to numerous and diverse information services of interest to the CERN community. Among them, Zentralblatt MATH stands out from our offer of online databases. >>

Official News

Adjustments to financial benefits and contributions with effect from 1 January 2011  
Extension of the pre-retirement programmes  
Official holidays in 2011  

Training and Development

CERN Academic Training Programme 2011  
CERN Technical training: Available places in forthcoming courses  
Language training  

General Information

Cercle Condorcet - Dîner-débat avec Robert Cailliau  
Tram works (TCMC)  
The new Service Desk  
Reminder: Alcohol abuse, road traffic and safety on the site  
CERN Health Insurance Scheme  
Work at Restaurant No. 1  
25 years - Happy Birthday!  

Staff Association

THE MANY ROLES OF THE CERN STAFF ASSOCIATION  
Offer  
Yachting Club  
Yoga Club  
Théâtre les 50  
Interfon  
GAC-EPA