SW & FW Developer / Physicist (EP-ATL-TRG-2026-123-GRAP)

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At CERN, the SW & FW Developer / Physicist for the ATLAS Global Hardware Trigger will build and optimize ML pipelines for real time FPGA based data processing, contribute to hardware integration, and help shape the HL LHC trigger strategy while supervising a small team. What matters most is a proven ML track record in particle physics, solid computational statistics, hands on digital electronics for data acquisition, and strong C++ and Python skills; HDL or high level synthesis experience is highly desirable; English fluency with a commitment to learn French. Eligibility: Master’s with 2 to 6 years postgrad experience or PhD with up to 3 years; no CERN fellowship. Apply by 20 July 2026. Onsite in Geneva, 40 hours per week, 24 months with possible extension. Tailor your CV to show ML in physics, FPGA/firmware work, leadership, end to end pipelines, anomaly detection, and any experience with industry technologies like AMD AI Engines.

Job Description

The Global Hardware Trigger is part of the upgrade to the Trigger and Data Acquisition that ATLAS plans to deploy for the High-Luminosity LHC programme (HL-LHC). It is a custom hardware, real-time data processing and filtering system, currently under construction, that uses fine-granularity detector information and will employ advanced pattern recognition algorithms.

These algorithms will be implemented on state-of-the-art field programmable gate array (FPGA) systems, which employ novel system-on-chip architectures capable of high-speed machine learning (ML) inference. You will join the CERN Data Processing team within the ATLAS Trigger Section as part of the Next Generation Trigger programme.

Your responsibilities

• Develop and maintain pipelines to streamline the end-to-end process of developing, optimising, and implementing ML algorithms into the Global firmware framework, and support the ATLAS Global community in using these pipelines.
• Contribute to Global hardware integration activities at CERN.
• Explore, develop, and optimise novel ML algorithms for Global, and play a leading role in developing the trigger menu and strategy for the start of the HL-LHC programme.
• Explore, develop, and optimise concepts of anomaly detection, trigger-level analysis, and data scouting in ATLAS using the Global system.
• Explore the potential and applicability of novel industry technologies (e.g., AMD AI Engines) to enhance the reach of the ATLAS Global system.
• This role includes team supervision responsibilities.
• More information here.

Your profile:

• Strong track record in developing novel ML algorithms, especially in the context of particle physics experiments.
• Strong background in computational statistics.
• Good level of knowledge of digital electronics for data acquisition.

Skills:

• Modern C++ and Python programming techniques.
• Writing and testing algorithms for data processing and filtering.
• Knowledge of hardware description languages (HDL) or high-level synthesis (HLS) tools and concepts is highly desirable.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

• You have a professional background in PhD in Physics, Computer Science (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: 20.07.2026 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: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-October-2026

This position involves:

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

Job reference: EP-ATL-TRG-2026-123-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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