Applied Physicist on DAQ Software (EP-CMS-ID-2026-113-GRAP)

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Join CERN as a full-time onsite Applied Physicist (EP-CMS-ID-2026-113-GRAP) with the CMS Tracker team to help build DAQ software and diagnostics for the High-Luminosity LHC, covering integration, checkout, commissioning and calibration. You will contribute to online and offline software, databases and user interfaces, develop configuration and automated calibration for back-end electronics of the Outer and Inner Tracker, and participate in hardware integration tests at TIF plus calibration procedures, with potential firmware input and team supervision. Essential: strong silicon-detector background, DAQ/test-protocol experience, expert C++, Git/CI, and English with willingness to learn French. Eligibility: CERN member state, Master 2-6 years or PhD up to 3 years, no prior CERN fellowship. Hybrid in Geneva, 40 hours, 24 months with extension; start Sept 2026. Tips: quantify detector readout and software/UI contributions, highlight leadership and readiness for radiation-area work and irregular hours.

Job Description

As a highly motivated applied physicist with experience in advanced particle detectors for high-energy physics experiments, you will join the CERN CMS Tracker team to develop software and diagnostic tools spanning the integration, checkout, commissioning, and calibration chain of the Tracker detector for the High-Luminosity LHC.

In this role, you will contribute to online and offline software, databases, and user interfaces that support the reception testing of detector substructures, validation of large detector sections, and the commissioning and calibration of the final detector once installed at Point 5.

Your responsibilities

• Develop online software within the ShepHERD ecosystem for configuration, control, monitoring, and automated calibration of the back-end electronics for the Outer Tracker and Inner Tracker.
• Participate in hardware integration and commissioning activities at CERN, including back-end integration tests at the Tracker Integration Facility (TIF) and slice tests.
• Contribute to the development of checkout and calibration procedures, including associated test protocols.
• Help scope and implement tools across the integration → checkout → commissioning → calibration workflow, with a focus on online and offline software, database interfaces, and web/UI tooling.
• Follow the firmware development of back-end boards and possibly contribute to it.
• This role includes team supervision responsibilities.

Your profile

• Solid background in silicon detectors for high-energy physics experiments.
• 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 considered beneficial.
• Experience with data analysis tools, detector qualification, or commissioning is considered an asset.

Skills

• Proven expert-level knowledge of C++.
• Experience with version control systems (Git/GitLab), continuous integration, and collaborative software development practices.
• Familiarity with firmware development (VHDL) is considered an advantage.
• Experience with databases, web/UI development, or online monitoring tools is considered an asset.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Electronics Engineering, Applied Physics (or a related field) and have 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.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 08.07.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Hybrid

Target start date: ideally 01-September-2026, but can be flexible 

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job reference: EP-CMS-ID-2026-113-GRAP

Field of work: Applied Physics

Benchmark job: 200140 - Applied Physicist

Global Benefits

• A monthly stipend between 6372-7004 Swiss Francs per month (tax free) depending on your degree.
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances.
• A relocation package (installation grant and travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
• Possibility to extend your contract up to 36 months.
• On-the-job and formal training including language classes.

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