Applied Physicist

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

• It is known for its groundbreaking work in particle physics and technology, employing over 2,500 staff members and hosting thousands of scientists from around the world. CERN operates in multiple countries and is dedicated to pushing the frontiers of science and technology, fostering an environment of innovation and collaboration among a diverse range of professionals.

Job Overview:
The position of Applied Physicist at CERN involves working with the CMS Tracker team to develop software and diagnostic tools for the integration, checkout, commissioning, and calibration of the Tracker detector for the High-Luminosity LHC. The successful candidate will be responsible for contributing to both online and offline software, databases, and user interfaces that facilitate the testing and validation of detector components. This role requires a strong background in applied physics, particularly in the context of high-energy physics experiments, and a commitment to advancing the capabilities of particle detectors. The position also includes team supervision responsibilities, emphasizing leadership and collaboration within the team.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities for the Applied Physicist position include developing online software within the ShepHERD ecosystem for the configuration, control, monitoring, and automated calibration of the back-end electronics for both the Outer Tracker and Inner Tracker. The candidate will participate in hardware integration and commissioning activities at CERN, including back-end integration tests at the Tracker Integration Facility (TIF) and slice tests. Additionally, the role involves contributing to the development of checkout and calibration procedures, including associated test protocols. The candidate will help scope and implement tools across the integration, checkout, commissioning, and calibration workflow, focusing on online and offline software, database interfaces, and web/UI tooling. Following the firmware development of back-end boards and potentially contributing to it is also part of the responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have a solid background in silicon detectors for high-energy physics experiments and experience in developing or contributing to test protocols and data acquisition routines. Hands-on experience with detector readout chains, including front-end and back-end electronics, optical links, and DAQ systems is beneficial. Familiarity with data analysis tools, detector qualification, or commissioning is considered an asset. Proven expert-level knowledge of C++ is required, along with experience in version control systems (Git/GitLab), continuous integration, and collaborative software development practices. Familiarity with firmware development (VHDL) is advantageous, as is experience with databases, web/UI development, or online monitoring tools.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a professional background in Electronics Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related field. Candidates should possess 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 never held a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.

Experience:
The level of experience needed for this position includes a minimum of 2 years of professional experience for those with a Master's degree, or up to 3 years for candidates with a PhD. Experience in high-energy physics experiments, particularly in the context of silicon detectors and data acquisition systems, is highly valued. The candidate should also have a proven track record of contributing to software development and integration processes within a collaborative environment.

Languages:
The mandatory language for this position is English, both spoken and written. Candidates are also expected to have a commitment to learning French, which is considered beneficial for integration into the CERN community and for effective communication within the organization.

Additional Notes:
The contract duration for this position is 24 months, with a possible extension of up to 36 months. The working hours are set at 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work flexibility option. The target start date for this position is September 1, 202

• The role may involve working in radiation areas and during nights, Sundays, and official holidays as required by the needs of the organization. The job reference is EP-CMS-ID-2026-113-GRAP, and the field of work is Applied Physics. The compensation includes a monthly stipend between 6372-7004 Swiss Francs per month (tax-free), 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks of annual closure, comprehensive health insurance coverage, family allowances, a relocation package, and opportunities for on-the-job and formal training, including language classes.