Junior Distributed Storage Engineer

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

• It is located in Geneva, Switzerland, and is known for its groundbreaking work in particle physics. CERN employs over 2,500 staff members and collaborates with thousands of scientists from around the world. The organization 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 Junior Distributed Storage Engineer position at CERN involves working with the IT Storage and Data Management Group to enhance the data storage systems utilized at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The successful candidate will join the EOS Storage Development and Operations team, which is responsible for delivering large-scale, reliable, and high-performance storage services. The infrastructure currently manages over 1 Exabyte of disk storage and serves approximately 10 Exabytes of data annually to researchers and computing facilities globally. This role offers an opportunity to learn and gain experience in the operations and evolution of an innovative, open-source storage platform, while collaborating closely with developers and service managers to improve automation, observability, reliability, and performance of CERN's storage services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Junior Distributed Storage Engineer include operating and maintaining EOS large-scale distributed storage services that support CERN's scientific programs. The engineer will be tasked with integrating, troubleshooting, and optimizing distributed storage systems at an exabyte scale across software, hardware, and network layers. Additionally, the role involves contributing to the development, testing, deployment, and automation of EOS platform capabilities and operational tools. The engineer will also liaise with users, developers, service managers, and external collaborators to support the evolution of CERN's storage services, ensuring that they meet the needs of the scientific community.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must have experience and a good knowledge of Linux, networking, and storage technologies. A strong interest in distributed storage systems, data management platforms, and large-scale scientific computing is essential. Applicants should also have an understanding of concepts such as replication, fault tolerance, caching, scheduling, and data consistency. Skills in software development and knowledge of modern programming languages (such as C++, Python, Git, and CI/CD) are required, along with Linux administration, troubleshooting, and performance optimization capabilities. Collaboration skills and the ability to work in diverse teams are also important.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Software Engineering or a related field. Candidates must have graduated within the last two years and should not have previously held a CERN fellow or graduate contract. Applicants without a university degree are not eligible, and those with a PhD are also not eligible for this position.

Experience:
The position requires a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in the relevant field. This experience should ideally be related to software engineering, distributed storage systems, or similar areas that align with the responsibilities of the role.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory, and candidates should demonstrate a commitment to learning French as part of their professional development.

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 position is fully onsite. The target start date for this role is January 1, 202

• The position may involve stand-by duty as required by the needs of the organization, including work during nights, Sundays, and official holidays. The job reference is IT-SD-PDS-2026-246-GRAE, and it falls under the field of Information Technologies with a benchmark job classification of 200020 - Computing Engineer. Compensation includes a monthly net stipend ranging from 5266 to 5793 Swiss Francs, depending on the candidate's degree, along with 30 days of paid leave per year, comprehensive health insurance coverage, family allowances, a relocation package, and opportunities for on-the-job and formal training, including language classes.