Computing Engineer - Applied Physics (EP-DT-SD-2026-32-GRAP)
As an Engineer with a specialisation in software development you will contribute to the maintenance, development, optimisation and upgrade of software tools used for the coordination of users, experiments and activities of the EP irradiation facilities (IRRAD/GIF++) at CERN. You will also contribute to explore opportunities to harmonise and consolidate the individual tools aiming to increase synergies, exploitation of communalities in the data model(s) and the reuse of programming code and software infrastructure, as well as investigate the new opportunities offered by ML/AL, in the field of the text, data and language (NLP) processing, for optimising them.
Your responsibilities
- Adapt and modify the software tools reacting to changes according to the input of the facility coordinators. You will assist with the operation of these tools (IRRAD Data Manager, on-line databases, RADNEXT TA portal, etc.) and enable the seamless flow of information and data between users, domain experts and the facility coordinators by providing the technical means and interfaces for doing so.
- Support the maintenance and upgrade of the software tools for the IRRAD and GIF++ facilities (Beam Instrumentation DAQ & controls, gamma-spectrometry laboratory, e-logs, etc.) and interface with the accelerator teams (BE-OP, BE-CSS) for developing operational pages with the WRAP technology as well as back-end servers (FESA, etc.).
- Take care of improving the long-term sustainability of the software platform and tools and its integration within the wider IT service structure at CERN (single-sign-on systems, database systems, file and storage systems, backup and recovery, etc.).
- Be tasked with fulfilling and organsing all aspects of deployment, availability and scalability and will be responsible for the smooth, secure and reliable operation and deployments of the IT services relying on the CERN infrastructure and services.
Your profile
- Proven ability to understand and analyse user-requirements and the capability to design, plan, implement, test, troubleshoot, and deploy modifications to web applications.
- First-hand experience with platform-as-a-service (PaaS), container-based deployment and orchestration strategies.
- Practical experience with test-driven software development (data modelling, version control, issue and change management, documentation, etc.).
- Knowledge about web services and APIs and some experience with the use and design of such interfaces.
- Knowledge and experience in modern ML/AI models and tools.
- Experience with aspects of particle physics, especially detector R&D and/or irradiation experiments would also be an asset.
Skills
- Knowledge of programming techniques and languages: Python 3.x, Django and adjacent technologies (Semantic UI frameworks, etc.) is required. Familiarity with PHP, Java, JavaScript & JQuery, Bootstrap would be helpful. Knowledge of C/C++/C# would also be an asset.
- Competency in using gitlab for version control is essential.
- Practical experience with at least one of the following relational database systems is expected PostgreSQL, MySQL and Oracle (more or all of them would be of advantage); knowledge of APEX database would also be an advantage.
- Some familiarity with Docker and/or OpenShift based container implementations.
- Proficiency in writing low level HTML and XML based user interface template blocks.
- Shell scripting and general Linux based Dev-Ops capabilities
- Some knowledge about hardware for motor controls (ICP-DAS, Arduino, RS, M300, etc.) and/or gamma spectrometry (Canberra DSA-LX, etc.) would also be 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 Software Engineering (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: 12.03.2026 at 23:59 CET.
Contract duration: 6 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.
Working hours: 40 hours per week
Job flexibility: Hybrid
Target start date: 01-April-2026
This position involves:
- Work in Radiation Areas.
Job reference: EP-DT-SD-2026-32-GRAP
Field of work: Applied Physics
Benchmark job: 200020 - Computing Engineer
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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