Electronics Engineer for Beam Instrumentation

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, was established in 1954 and is one of the world's largest and most respected centers for scientific research. With over 2,500 employees and thousands of scientists from around the globe, CERN operates in multiple countries and is known for its groundbreaking work in particle physics. The organization is dedicated to probing the fundamental structure of the universe using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, which allows physicists to study the basic constituents of matter and the fundamental laws of nature. CERN's mission emphasizes diversity and inclusion, making it a central value of the organization.

Job Overview:
The Electronics Engineer for Beam Instrumentation will join the Beam Position Measurement (BP) Section, which is part of the Beam Instrumentation (BI) Group within the Accelerator Systems (SY) Department. This role is crucial for designing and maintaining systems that measure the transverse position of various particle beams used at CERN. The successful candidate will contribute to the AWAKE (Advanced Wakefield Experiment) project, which is undergoing a significant upgrade to its beam position monitoring system. The engineer will be responsible for designing, implementing, and operating high-performance diagnostic systems that are essential for advancing plasma wakefield acceleration. This position requires a blend of technical skills in software development, electronics, and data analysis, as well as collaboration with other experts in the field.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The responsibilities of the Electronics Engineer include assisting in the design of low-level and real-time software deployed in the System on Chip (SoC) used for the AWAKE project. The engineer will also assist in specifying the front-end software API for AWAKE operators, implementing, qualifying, and testing beam position computation routines. Integration of electronics hardware with CERN's accelerator control infrastructure is a key duty, requiring close collaboration with digital and software experts. The engineer will commission the upgraded Beam Position Monitoring (BPM) system, performing calibration and validation using both calibration and beam data. Additionally, the engineer will operate and assess system performance during AWAKE dry-runs and contribute to the optimization of performance and long-term reliability of the new system.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have hands-on experience with low-level software (C/C++), real-time software (C/C++), and SoC firmware development. Experience with data analysis using Python and familiarity with hardware control and data acquisition systems (such as FPGA, SoC, or similar) is considered a strong asset. The ideal candidate should possess strong coding skills in C++, real-time software development capabilities, and proficiency in Python for data analysis. A commitment to learning French is also required, alongside spoken and written proficiency in English.

Educational Background:
The position requires candidates to be nationals of a CERN Member or Associate Member State and to have a professional background in Electronics or software (or a related field). Candidates should hold either a Master's degree with 2 to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience or a PhD with no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience. It is important that candidates have not previously held a CERN fellow or graduate contract.

Experience:
The level of experience required for this position includes a minimum of 2 years and up to 6 years of post-graduation professional experience for those with a Master's degree. For candidates with a PhD, no more than 3 years of post-graduation professional experience is acceptable. This experience should be relevant to the fields of electronics, software development, or related areas, demonstrating a solid understanding of the technical requirements of the role.

Languages:
Proficiency in spoken and written English is mandatory, and candidates must demonstrate a commitment to learning French. While English is the primary language of communication at CERN, knowledge of French will be beneficial for integration into the workplace and community.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 24 months, with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of 36 months. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week, and the position is fully onsite. The target start date for this role is February 1, 202

• The position may involve work in radiation areas, interventions in underground installations, and may require a valid driving license. Additionally, the engineer may need to work during nights, Sundays, and official holidays as required by the needs of the organization. The job reference for this position is SY-BI-BP-2025-192-GRAP, and the field of work is Software Engineering and IT. Compensation includes a monthly stipend ranging from 6287 to 6911 Swiss Francs (net of tax), coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme, and various allowances depending on individual circumstances. Employees are entitled to 30 days of paid leave per year and will have access to on-the-job and formal training, as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.