Software Developer

Job Description
Join the ATLAS Trigger and DAQ system as part of the Next-Generation-Trigger project to work on the Global Hardware Trigger, an upgrade that will be deployed for the High-Luminosity LHC programme for real-time data processing and event filtering using state-of-the-art field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

Take an active role in developing algorithms and infrastructure, including novel system-on-chip architectures capable of high-speed Machine Learning (ML) inference, to make optimal use of the available information from the calorimeter and muon systems for deriving the decision of this first step in the event selection chain of ATLAS.

Your responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain pipelines for streamlining the end-to-end process of developing, optimising and implementing ML algorithms into the Global firmware framework, and supporting the ATLAS Global community in using these pipelines.
• Contribute to the Global hardware integration activities at CERN.
• Explore/develop/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/optimise the concepts of anomaly detection, trigger-level analysis and data-scouting in ATLAS, using the Global system.
• Explore the potential/applicability of novel industry technologies for enhancing the reach of the Global system.

More information here.

Your profile:

• Track record in developing novel ML algorithms.
• Background in computational statistics.
• Some experience with FPGA firmware development.

Skills:

• Modern C++ and Python programming techniques.
• Writing and testing algorithms for data processing and filtering purposes.
• 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 are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.

• You have a professional background 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:

at
23:59 CET
.

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-January-2026

This position involves:

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

Job reference: EP-ADT-TR GRAP

Field of work: Applied Physics

Benchmark job: Applied Physicist

What We Offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6287 and 6911 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
• Coverage by CERN's comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Depending on your individual circumstances: installation grant; family, child and infant allowances; payment of travel expenses at the beginning and end of contract.
• 30 days of paid leave per year.
• On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.

About Us
At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on

We are on a Quest. A Journey into discovery like no other. Bring your expertise to our unique work and develop your knowledge and skills at pace. Join world-class subject matter experts on unique projects, in a Quest for greater knowledge and deeper understanding.

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Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success.