Graduate Software Engineer

Job Posting Organization:
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is a leading scientific 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. The organization values diversity and inclusion, ensuring that every contribution is recognized and valued, which is central to its mission and success.

Job Overview:
The Graduate Software Engineer position at CERN involves contributing to the development and maintenance of the CERN Document Server (CDS), which is an institutional repository dedicated to archiving and disseminating research outputs. The role is focused on building a next-generation web platform using InvenioRDM technology. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in creating a seamless workflow for researchers, enabling them to archive, publish, and share their work more efficiently. This position offers a unique opportunity to make a significant impact on how CERN researchers manage their research outputs, including software, data, and documents. The role requires collaboration with software engineers and end users to understand requirements and translate them into technical solutions, as well as documenting these solutions for users and developers.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Graduate Software Engineer include developing and maintaining web applications using Python for backend development and React for frontend development. The engineer will implement new features to support the archiving, publication, and sharing of research outputs. Additionally, the role involves contributing to the migration of existing content to a new digital platform, ensuring data quality and consistency throughout the process. The engineer will be responsible for writing, testing, and reviewing code to ensure reliability, performance, and maintainability. Collaboration with software engineers and end users is essential to understand requirements and translate them into effective technical solutions. The engineer will also document technical solutions and contribute to user and developer documentation, while learning and applying best practices in software engineering, version control, and agile teamwork.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have experience with Python and web application development, preferably using frameworks like Flask. A basic knowledge of JavaScript and modern web interfaces, such as React, is also required. Familiarity with version control systems, particularly Git, is essential. Candidates should be able to write clear and maintainable code and demonstrate a willingness to learn new technologies. Experience with relational databases, such as PostgreSQL, is necessary, along with familiarity with search or indexing technologies like Elasticsearch or OpenSearch. Exposure to container technologies, such as Docker, and container platforms like OpenShift is advantageous. Experience contributing to or working with open-source software projects is also beneficial.

Educational Background:
The position requires candidates to have a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Software Engineering or a related field. Applicants must have graduated within the last two years and should not have had a CERN fellow or graduate contract previously. Candidates without a university degree or those holding a PhD are not eligible for this position.

Experience:
Candidates should have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Software Engineering or a related field. This experience should ideally include work related to web application development and software engineering practices.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to learning French, which is considered a valuable asset for working in the multilingual environment 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 hybrid flexibility. The target start date for the position is November 1, 202

• The job reference is IT-CA-IR-2026-99-GRAE, and it falls under the field of Software Engineering and IT. The position offers a monthly stipend between 5266-5793 Swiss Francs, which is tax-free, along with 30 days of paid leave per year and additional benefits such as comprehensive health insurance, family allowances, and a relocation package depending on individual circumstances. On-the-job and formal training, including language classes, will also be provided.