Applied Physicist

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, was established in 1954 and is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It is one of the world's largest and most respected centers for scientific research, particularly in the field of particle physics. CERN employs over 2,500 staff members and has a diverse workforce that includes physicists, engineers, and administrative personnel from around the globe. The organization operates in multiple countries and collaborates with numerous universities and research institutions worldwide, making significant contributions to our understanding of the universe.

Job Overview:
In this role, the Applied Physicist will focus on developing advanced methods to compress deep learning models utilizing low-rank and tensor-network techniques. The position involves contributing to the pQuant open-source library and working collaboratively with an interdisciplinary team of physicists and computer scientists. The successful candidate will engage in research and development activities aimed at enhancing the efficiency and scalability of AI models. This role requires a strong foundation in deep learning and tensor networks, as well as a commitment to exploring innovative compression techniques that can be applied to realistic datasets and applications. The position also emphasizes the importance of sharing research outcomes through publications, presentations, and contributions to open-source projects, fostering a culture of collaboration and knowledge dissemination within the scientific community.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Applied Physicist will be responsible for researching and implementing tensor-network methods for compressing neural networks. This includes exploring low-rank approximations and their integration with knowledge-distillation techniques. The candidate will test and compare various compression approaches on realistic datasets and applications, contributing to the development, documentation, and maintenance of the pQuant open-source library. Additionally, the role involves working within an international, interdisciplinary team of scientists and software engineers, sharing research outcomes through publications and presentations, and contributing to open-source initiatives. The position may also require working during nights, Sundays, and official holidays as needed by the organization.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess expertise in deep learning and tensor networks, with a strong preference for those who have experience in model compression techniques such as knowledge distillation, pruning, and quantization. Familiarity with FPGA programming or hardware-aware AI deployment is highly desirable. The ideal candidate should have advanced knowledge of Linear Algebra and basic programming skills in Python, along with experience in Machine Learning. Proficiency in spoken and written English or French is required, with a commitment to learning the basics of the other language.

Educational Background:
Applicants must be nationals of a CERN Member or Associate Member State and should have a professional background in Mathematics, Physics, 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 to note that candidates should not have previously held a CERN fellow or graduate contract.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a professional background that aligns with the educational qualifications, specifically in Mathematics, Physics, or a related field. For those with a Master's degree, 2 to 6 years of relevant post-graduation professional experience is necessary, while PhD holders should have no more than 3 years of post-graduation experience. This ensures that candidates have a solid foundation and practical experience in the relevant areas of study and application.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English or French is mandatory for this position. Candidates should also demonstrate a willingness to learn the basics of the other language, which is essential for effective communication within the diverse team at CERN.

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 job offers a hybrid flexibility model. The target start date for this position is February 1, 202

• The role may involve working during nights, Sundays, and official holidays as required by the organization's needs. The job reference for this position is EP-SFT-2025-235-GRAP, and it falls under the field of Data Science & Data Analytics. The compensation includes a monthly stipend ranging from 6287 to 6911 Swiss Francs (net of tax), along with coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme for the employee and their family, membership in the CERN Pension Fund, and additional 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 at CERN, as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.