Software and Infrastructure Engineer

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 a mission to push the frontiers of science and technology, CERN employs a diverse workforce of over 2,500 staff members and thousands of scientists from around the globe. The organization operates in multiple countries and is known for its groundbreaking work in particle physics, fostering an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. Diversity is a core value at CERN, and it remains central to its mission and continued success.

Job Overview:
The Software and Infrastructure Engineer position at CERN involves contributing to the development, deployment, and maintenance of the Open Research Europe publishing platform, which is based on Open Journal Systems (OJS). The role requires working under the guidance of a senior engineer to ensure secure and reliable service delivery. The engineer will be responsible for developing and testing the OJS application and its integrations, as well as assisting in the deployment and maintenance of the infrastructure using Kubernetes/OpenShift and automated CI/CD workflows. This position is ideal for individuals who are passionate about open-source development and collaborative work, as it involves close collaboration with business and editorial operations teams.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Software and Infrastructure Engineer include:

• Contributing to the development of the OJS application and its plugins, ensuring high-quality code and functionality.
• Testing integrations with external services to ensure seamless operation and user experience.
• Assisting in the deployment and maintenance of the Open Research Europe infrastructure, utilizing Kubernetes/OpenShift for container orchestration.
• Participating in system testing and performance checks to ensure the platform operates efficiently.
• Documenting procedures and providing day-to-day operational support to ensure the platform's reliability.
• Collaborating with the business and editorial operations teams to align technical solutions with organizational needs.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must demonstrate experience in developing web applications, particularly with PHP and the Laravel stack. Familiarity with Open Journal Systems (OJS) source code, plugin systems, and workflows is a plus. Additionally, experience with containerized infrastructure and orchestration tools such as Kubernetes or OpenShift is highly desirable. Knowledge of administration" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">system administration, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure automation tools (e.g., Helm, GitLab CI) will also be beneficial. Strong problem-solving and communication skills are essential, along with a commitment to open-source development and collaborative work.

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

Experience:
Candidates should have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in a relevant field. This experience should ideally include work related to software engineering, web application development, or similar roles that demonstrate the necessary technical skills and knowledge required for this position.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this role. Additionally, candidates should have a commitment to learning French, which will be beneficial for communication within the organization and with local stakeholders.

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 this position is November 1, 202

• The role may involve stand-by duty and work during nights, Sundays, and official holidays as required by the organization's needs. Compensation includes a monthly net stipend ranging from 5,266 to 5,793 Swiss Francs, depending on the candidate's degree, along with 30 days of paid leave per year, comprehensive health insurance coverage, and various allowances based on individual circumstances.