SW & FW Developer / Physicist

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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