📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Applied Physicist (Trigger and Data Acquisition)
🔹 Company: CERN
🔹 Location: Geneva, Genève, Switzerland
🔹 Job Type: Contract
🔹 Category: Research Services
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-05-20
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Contributing to the development of online software for the CMS experiment's data acquisition system
- Taking a leading role in commissioning custom hardware and software
- Supporting sub-systems in integrating their readout electronics into the central DAQ system
- Participating in a regular stand-by duty, including nights, Sundays, and official holidays
- Intervening in underground installations and working during nights, Sundays, and official holidays when required
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of technical expertise and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, international environment. It also involves a significant amount of on-call duty and work in challenging conditions.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Contribute to the development of online software for the CMS experiment's data acquisition system
✅ Take a leading role in commissioning custom hardware and software in various test systems and in the final production system
✅ Be the contact person for sub-systems that need to integrate their back-end readout-electronics into the central DAQ system of the experiment
✅ Contribute to an on-call service, organized among all members of the group, to provide support for the CMS DAQ System in the ongoing Run 3
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a significant amount of technical problem-solving and requires strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with other teams and stakeholders.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Master's degree or PhD or equivalent relevant experience in the field of operating large DAQ systems and Computer Science or a related field.
Experience:
- Experience in development and operation of online-software for data acquisition systems for particle physics experiments
- Experience in application development with the C++ and Python programming languages
- Experience with containerized applications, their deployment and container orchestration
- Experience in the integration of complex electronic systems
Required Skills:
- Proven in-depth expertise in C++ and Python
- Knowledge and application of software life-cycle tools and procedures: git, GitLab, CI
- Development of software for embedded and real-time systems with/without OS
- Architecture and Design of control and data acquisition systems, distributed applications, and services
- Containerization of software applications
Preferred Skills:
- Knowledge of the CMS experiment and its data acquisition system
- Experience with Kubernetes
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong technical background in software development and experience with data acquisition systems in a particle physics experiment setting.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CERN offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive benefits package. The exact salary will depend on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
Benefits:
- Health insurance
- Pension fund contributions
- Annual leave
- Family allowance
- Education allowance
- Childcare facilities
- Sports and social activities
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, with participation in a regular stand-by duty, including nights, Sundays, and official holidays.
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate based on industry standards for research positions in Switzerland. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience and qualifications.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: CERN is a research organization dedicated to fundamental physics, particularly particle physics. It operates the largest particle accelerator complex in the world, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), and hosts a wide range of other accelerators and research facilities.
Company Size: CERN has approximately 2,500 employees from over 600 universities and research institutions across the globe. Despite its size, CERN maintains a collaborative and international atmosphere.
Founded: CERN was founded in 1954 and is based in Meyrin, near Geneva, Switzerland.
Company Description:
- CERN is a truly unique organization, driven by a commitment to create and share knowledge
- It is a genuine collaboration between countries, universities, and scientists
- CERN is the only place in the world where you can do this work in this way
Company Specialties:
- Fundamental research
- Particle Physics
- Engineering
- International collaboration
- Education
- Technology
- Large scale data processing
- Training
- Alumni
- Knowledge Transfer
- and computing
Company Website: http://home.cern
ASSUMPTION: CERN's unique international and collaborative environment offers a rich and stimulating work experience for those who thrive in diverse and dynamic settings.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is suitable for early to mid-career professionals with a strong background in software development and data acquisition systems.
Reporting Structure: The role reports to the CMS Experiment Management and Data group within the Experimental Physics Department.
Work Arrangement: The role is on-site, with a requirement to participate in a regular stand-by duty, including nights, Sundays, and official holidays.
Growth Opportunities:
- CERN offers opportunities for professional development and career growth within its diverse research programs
- The organization encourages collaboration and knowledge-sharing, providing ample opportunities for learning and skill development
- CERN's international environment exposes employees to a wide range of cultures and perspectives, fostering personal growth and adaptability
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development within CERN's diverse research programs and international environment.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: CERN's offices are modern and well-equipped, with a focus on collaboration and communication.
Office Location(s): The main office is located in Meyrin, near Geneva, Switzerland, with additional facilities at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) and other research sites.
Geographic Context:
- Geneva is a multicultural city with a high quality of life, offering a wide range of cultural, recreational, and educational opportunities
- Switzerland is known for its political stability, low crime rates, and excellent public services
- The cost of living in Geneva is high, but CERN offers competitive salaries and benefits to compensate
Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday to Friday, with additional hours required for on-call duty and interventions in underground installations.
ASSUMPTION: CERN's work environment is collaborative, international, and dynamic, with a strong focus on research and innovation. The location in Geneva offers a high quality of life and ample opportunities for personal and professional growth.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screening
- Technical interview with relevant team members
- Final interview with the hiring manager
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical expertise in software development and data acquisition systems
- Problem-solving skills and ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment
- Adaptability and ability to work in challenging conditions
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and skills in your resume, with a focus on software development and data acquisition systems
- Prepare for technical questions related to CERN's research programs and the CMS experiment
- Demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a collaborative, international environment
ATS Keywords: CERN, CMS, data acquisition, online software, particle physics, research, collaboration, international, software development, C++, Python, containerization
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, given CERN's reputation and the unique nature of its research programs. Applicants should highlight their relevant experience and skills and demonstrate their ability to thrive in a collaborative, international environment.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- C++
- Python
- Git, GitLab, CI
- XDAQ
- Kubernetes
- Custom hardware and electronics
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a strong background in software development using C++ and Python, as well as experience with version control systems and container orchestration tools.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence and innovation
- International collaboration
- Openness and transparency
- Safety and security
- Respect and diversity
Work Style:
- Collaborative and international
- Dynamic and fast-paced
- Focused on research and innovation
- Adaptable and flexible
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a collaborative, international environment?
- Are you adaptable and able to work effectively in challenging conditions?
- Do you have a strong background in software development and data acquisition systems?
ASSUMPTION: CERN's unique international and collaborative environment requires employees who are adaptable, collaborative, and able to thrive in a dynamic research setting.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- The role involves a significant amount of on-call duty and work in challenging conditions
- The work schedule may require additional hours and participation in a regular stand-by duty
- The role requires a strong background in software development and data acquisition systems, which may be challenging for candidates without relevant experience
- The application process is likely to be competitive, given CERN's reputation and the unique nature of its research programs
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique and challenging work experience, but it also requires a significant amount of commitment and adaptability.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other applied physicist positions, but it is unique in its focus on the CMS experiment and the specific requirements of the CMS data acquisition system
- CERN's international and collaborative environment is unique, offering a rich and stimulating work experience for those who thrive in diverse and dynamic settings
- The role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development within CERN's diverse research programs and international environment
ASSUMPTION: This role is unique in its focus on the CMS experiment and the specific requirements of the CMS data acquisition system, but it is similar to other applied physicist positions in its technical requirements and collaborative work environment.
📝 Sample Projects
- Development of online software for the CMS experiment's data acquisition system
- Commissioning of custom hardware and software in various test systems and in the final production system
- Supporting sub-systems in integrating their back-end readout-electronics into the central DAQ system of the experiment
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the technical and collaborative nature of the role, as well as the specific requirements of the CMS data acquisition system.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the specific technical requirements of the CMS data acquisition system?
- How does this role fit into the broader research programs of CERN and the CMS experiment?
- What are the opportunities for professional growth and development within CERN?
- What is the typical work schedule for this role, and how is on-call duty organized?
- How does CERN support employees in adapting to its unique international and collaborative environment?
ASSUMPTION: These questions are designed to help applicants better understand the specific technical requirements of the role, as well as the unique work environment and opportunities for professional growth at CERN.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Highlight relevant experience and skills in your resume, with a focus on software development and data acquisition systems
- Prepare for technical questions related to CERN's research programs and the CMS experiment
- Demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a collaborative, international environment
- Follow up with the hiring manager two weeks after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about the status of your application
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
