Database Services Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a leading scientific research organization established in 195

• It is known for its groundbreaking work in the field of particle physics and operates the largest particle physics laboratory in the world. CERN employs over 2,500 staff members and collaborates with thousands of scientists from around the globe. The organization is dedicated to pushing the frontiers of science and technology, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration among a diverse range of professionals including physicists, engineers, and administrative staff. CERN's mission emphasizes diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every contribution is valued and that the organization continues to thrive in its pursuit of knowledge and understanding of the universe.

Job Overview:
The position of Database Services Engineer within CERN's Database and Analytics group involves operating and supporting the Database on Demand (DBOD) service, which is utilized by various IT services and across CERN's experimental programs. The DBOD service manages over one thousand instances of MySQL, PostgreSQL, and InfluxDB, providing users with essential administrative functionalities such as configuration management, monitoring, backup and recovery, replication, and high availability. As an early-career professional, you will be responsible for contributing to the administration of these database instances, participating in the evolution of the user interface, and engaging in service configuration and architecture design. This role requires a blend of operations tasks and software development, allowing you to gain hands-on experience with open-source software and the IT infrastructure stack at CERN, including AlmaLinux 9, OpenStack, Puppet, and Prometheus.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Database Services Engineer include:

• Administering the database instances hosted in the DBOD service, ensuring optimal performance and availability.
• Participating in the evolution of the user interface, which is based on Angular and Flask.
• Engaging in service configuration and architecture design, including database upgrades and patch campaigns.
• Assisting with hardware migrations and monitoring system health and performance indicators.
• Providing support and advice to users, contributing to the evolution of the DBOD service.
• Collaborating with the team on service enhancements, including technical mentorship and cross-training.
• Performing operations tasks and software development using Python, bash, and Angular.
• Gaining experience with various tools and technologies used at CERN, including automation and orchestration tools like Rundeck.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess the following qualifications:

• A maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Computer Science or a related field.
• A Bachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant discipline.
• Experience working with MySQL, PostgreSQL, or TimescaleDB databases.
• Proficiency in SQL, Unix shell scripting, and Python programming.
• Knowledge of the Linux operating system and service administration tools such as Puppet.
• Familiarity with monitoring system health and performance indicators.
• Experience with automation or orchestration tools like Rundeck is advantageous.
• A commitment to learning French is required, alongside proficiency in spoken and written English.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related field. Applicants without a university degree are not eligible for this position, and those with a PhD are also not eligible. The position is targeted towards early-career professionals, specifically those who have graduated within the last two years.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for this position is a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation. This experience should be in a relevant field such as Computer Science, with a focus on database management and administration. Candidates should have hands-on experience with the technologies and tools mentioned in the job description, particularly in relation to database environments and system monitoring.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, which must be spoken and written proficiently. Additionally, candidates are expected to have a commitment to learning French, which is considered a valuable asset for communication within the organization and the local 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 job offers flexibility with a hybrid working model. The target start date for the position is July 1, 202

• The job reference number is IT-DA-DB-2026-111-GRAE, and it falls under the field of Software Engineering and IT. The compensation includes a monthly stipend ranging from 5266 to 5793 Swiss Francs, which is tax-free, along with 30 days of paid leave per year, comprehensive health insurance coverage, family allowances, and a relocation package depending on individual circumstances. On-the-job and formal training opportunities, including language classes, are also provided.