Detector System Commissioning Expert (EP-CMX-EC-2025-90-GRAP)

Job Description

Your responsibilities

HGCAL is one of the largest upgrades of the CMS detector for the Hi Lumi-LHC, a completely new endcap calorimeter with both electromagnetic and hadronic sections. This comprises 600 m2 of silicon detectors and 300 m2 of plastic scintillators, covering five orders of magnitude in radiation tolerance, to provide precise measurements of energy, position, and timing.

The CERN team has a deep implication in HGCAL, including responsibilities in the mechanics, technical coordination, and electronics (front-end and off-detector). In particular, the team is responsible for the HGCAL back-end electronics control and DAQ system that comprises hardware, firmware, and software.

You will join the HGCAL team at CERN which is working on the integration of increasingly large detector systems, all the way to the final detector.

In particular, you will:

• Contribute to the development of the HGCAL back-end firmware and software, both directly and by supervising junior team members.
• Develop and document operational procedures for data-taking, including contributing to the attending firmware and software aspects, and recovery procedures.
• Interface the HGCAL back-end electronics community with the construction and commissioning teams at Point 5 in terms of the needs and availability of firmware and software.
• Interface with other teams (HGCAL DCS, central DAQ, L1T, etc) with which the HGCAL back-end electronics exchanges information via software or firmware interfaces.
• This role includes team supervision responsibilities.

Your profile

Recent graduate (PhD in Physics or Electronics Engineering) with strong interest in detector systems, their integration, their operation, and debugging.

Skills:

• Demonstrated proficiency in the development of mixed software-firmware-hardware systems.
• Demonstrated proficiency in VHDL or Verilog.
• Demonstrated ability to use C++ and Python.
• Experience with use of laboratory measurement equipment like oscilloscopes, network analysers, power supplies, etc. in a programmatic way, is a strong advantage.
• Knowing how to contribute firmware blocks to the EMP framework is also an advantage.
• Good communication skills and constructive collaborative spirit to work in a diverse, international, team. Ability to document results clearly and provide user-facing interfaces.
• Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of the other language.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Applied physics, electronics 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: 06.07.2025 at 23:59 CEST.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-October-2025

This position involves:

• Interventions in underground installations.
• Residence in the immediate vicinity of the Organisation's installations.
• A valid driving licence.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organisation.

Job reference: EP-CMX-EC-2025-90-GRAP

Field of work: Applied Physics

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 http://home.cern.

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.

Begin your CERN Quest. Take Part!

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.

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