CERN Alumni Weekly News | Dr. Tommi Tenkanen, February CAN-doers of the month, Job Fair, CERN–KIT Networking, LHC Career Networking Night, Space Group launch, Madrid, Eindhove, Milan-Turin, HEARTS facility & White Rabbit timing for HL-LHC

Published on February 19, 2026

THIS WEEK’S DIGEST AT A GLANCE: 

  • ALUMNI STORIES: Guess who we bumped into — Dr. Tommi Tenkanen
  • COMMUNITY: February CAN-doers of the month
  • EVENTS: Job Fair, CERN–KIT Networking, LHC Career Networking Night
  • GROUP EVENTS: Space Group launch, Madrid, Eindhove, Milan-Turin
  • FROM CERN: HEARTS facility & White Rabbit timing for HL-LHC
  • COMMUNITY INPUT: Help translate CERN language
  • AND FINALLY: Fourth Collisions reunion — your input matters

ALUMNI STORIES

Guess who we bumped into — Dr. Tommi Tenkanen - From theoretical physics to consulting and leadership in deep tech: we recently caught up with Dr. Tommi Tenkanen — physicist, author and CEO of Cygnus Quantum. After completing his PhD at the University of Helsinki, he worked across academia in the UK and USA, moved into research funding and strategy, and later joined Boston Consulting Group working on global projects with companies and governments. Today, he leads a consultancy serving organisations in deep tech and education, while continuing his academic engagement and science communication work: https://alumni.cern/news/13042748 

 

COMMUNITY — CAN-DOERS OF THE MONTH

Meet our February 2026 CAN-doers of the Month. Every action that strengthens the network — mentoring, sharing opportunities, speaking at events, or simply keeping your profile updated — earns digital badges displayed on your alumni profile. There are up to 16 badges to collect, each recognising a different way of contributing to the global CERN Alumni community: https://alumni.cern/news/13042284 

 

EVENTS

  • Job Fair — 18 February, CERN. Meet recruiters from 14 companies and international organisations, including ESO, Marvel Fusion, Pix4D and Transmutex. If you’re exploring your next career step, stop by the Main Building during the day: https://alumni.cern/events/199901 
  • CERN & KIT Alumni Networking Event — 19 February, CERN - A joint evening with the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology Alumni Association bringing together alumni living and working in Switzerland. With many roles filled through personal connections, strong networks remain one of the most powerful career tools: https://alumni.cern/events/200965 
  • LHC Career Networking Night — 17 March - The next edition is coming soon, with registration opening shortly. Expect a panel of CERN alumni sharing practical advice on navigating career transitions: https://alumni.cern/events/204449 

 

GROUP EVENTS

 

FROM CERN

Love is in the air at CERN’s HEARTS facility - Recent successful tests are helping prepare electronic components for the harsh radiation conditions of space: https://home.cern/news/news/knowledge-sharing/love-air-cerns-hearts-facility 

White Rabbit: revolution of timing distribution for HL-LHC experiments - As CERN prepares for the High-Luminosity LHC, ultra-precise timing systems are becoming essential for detector performance, pushing beyond the limits of existing infrastructure: https://ep-news.web.cern.ch/content/white-rabbit-revolution-timing-distribution-hl-lhc-experiments 

 

COMMUNITY INPUT

Help translate CERN language
Could you help a younger version of yourself? We’re building a glossary to explain CERN terminology in industry-friendly language — and your experience can make it clearer for future alumni transitions: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1tv-eufxopcSZBtuO8XZ3sQ4bW_r2h99rKyTmalHz4IY/edit?gid=0#gid=0 

 

AND FINALLY...

Fourth Collisions reunion — help shape the event:  Planning for the next CERN alumni reunion has begun. To make it memorable and relevant, we’d love your input on what would make you want to attend and reconnect. Help us by answering three short questions: https://alumni.cern/surveys/forms/7659 

Other news

Look Who We Bumped Into - Tommi Tenkanen

February 14, 2026
Did you know that one of the benefits of being a member of the CERN Alumni Network is the possibility to come back on site?Check out the next “Look Who We Bumped Into” video to see what Tommi Tenkanen said when he came back to visit CERN last year to speak at the KT Seminar on "How quantum technology can change society and what it means for you".

A full house for the first CERN Alumni & ATLAS Job Fair

February 21, 2026
A full-house success: the first CERN Alumni & ATLAS Job Fair connected global recruiters with CERN’s exceptional talent, showcasing why CERN alumni are highly sought after across industry and research.