Information Technology

Computer Scientist - Open Science/Analysis Facilities - European Organization for Nuclear Research (Geneva)

Contract Type Contract Agent

About this position

The summary below is published by European Organization for Nuclear Research on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

At [CERN](http://home.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.

**Introduction:**

Are you passionate about enabling open science through advanced computing services, data infrastructures and collaborative research environments? Do you enjoy combining hands-on technical work with engagement across diverse scientific communities?

Join CERN’s IT Department and contribute to the development of scientific computing services supporting analysis facilities, open data and interoperable research infrastructures.

The Collaborative Applications Group (IT-CA) provides platforms and services enabling collaboration, knowledge sharing and scientific information management across CERN and its communities. Within IT-CA, the Institutional Repositories section (IT-CA-IR) develops…

Excerpt shown; read the full notice on the official page. The structured breakdown below covers the key facts.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

  • Contribute to technical design, development and operation of analysis facilities supporting scalable and reproducible scientific analysis workflows
  • Design and implement Virtual Research Environments (VREs) combining data management, workflow execution, software distribution and analysis services
  • Contribute to federated scientific data infrastructures, including data lake concepts, distributed data management and large-scale data access
  • Support and coordinate technical activities with scientific communities involved in open science data challenges
  • Develop and maintain software components, service integrations and operational tooling for scientific computing services
  • Promote common solutions and best practices across communities
  • Work with research infrastructures and scientific domains to translate requirements into robust computing solutions

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

  • Education: Master's Degree or PhD or equivalent relevant experience in Software Engineering, Physics or a related field
  • Experience: Development and operation of scientific computing platforms or research services; Analysis facilities, distributed analysis environments or interactive scientific workflows; Large-scale data management, data lake architectures or federated infrastructures; Integration of research data services, repositories, workflow platforms or authentication and authorisation systems; Technical collaboration w…
  • Languages: English (spoken…), French (commitm…)
  • Key skills: Programming in Python for scientific computing services, Web technologies such as JavaScript and React, Design, deployment and operation of distributed systems and cloud-native applications, Containerisation and orchestration technologies such as Kubernetes and Helm, Data-intensive computing, data management and federated data access, Experience with analysis platforms, workflow systems or Virtual Research Environments, Accountability, Working in teams, Communicating effectively, Solving problems
  • Eligibility: Applications welcome from all Member States and Associate Member States

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 5 years, with possibility to extend up to 8 years and eligibility for indefinite contract tenure.

Working arrangements: Hybrid.

Hiring unit: IT Department, Collaborative Applications Group (IT-CA), Institutional Repositories section (IT-CA-IR).

Position details

Reference
IT-CA-IR-2026-139-LD
Last Verified
21 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Computer Scientist - Open Science/Analysis Facilities at CERN based in Geneva (Contract Agent). The vacancy reference is IT-CA-IR-2026-139-LD. The role falls under the Information Technology domain.

At [CERN](http://home.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.

Introduction:

Are you passionate about enabling open science through advanced computing services, data infrastructures and collaborative research environments? Do you enjoy combining hands-on technical work with engagement across diverse scientific communities?

Join CERN’s IT Department and contribute to the development of scientific computing services supporting analysis facilities, open data and interoperable research infrastructures.

The Collaborative Applications Group (IT-CA) provides platforms and services enabling collaboration, knowledge sharing and scientific information management across CERN and its communities. Within IT-CA, the Institutional Repositories section (IT-CA-IR) develops and operates services for research data, publications, open science and institutional knowledge. The section is also building and coordinating the EOSC CERN Node, CERN’s contribution to the European Open Science Cloud ecosystem.

Functions:

* Contribute to the technical design, development and operation of analysis facilities supporting scalable and reproducible scientific analysis workflows. * Design and implement Virtual Research Environments (VREs) combining data management, workflow execution, software distribution and analysis services. * Contribute to federated scientific data infrastructures, including data lake concepts, distributed data management and large-scale data access. * Support and coordinate technical activities with scientific communities involved in open science data challenges, including particle physics and external research infrastructures, and contribute to the technical coordination role in the ESCAPE collaboration. * Develop and maintain software components, service integrations and operational tooling for scientific computing services, including cloud-native deployments and automation. * Promote common solutions and best practices across communities, contributing to competence centres, working groups and collaborative technical forums. * Work with research infrastructures and scientific domains such as particle physics, astronomy, astroparticle physics, among others to translate requirements into robust computing solutions.

* Master's Degree or PhD or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Software Engineering, Physics or a related field.

Experience:

* Development and operation of scientific computing platforms or research services. * Analysis facilities, distributed analysis environments or interactive scientific workflows. * Large-scale data management, data lake architectures or federated infrastructures. * Integration of research data services, repositories, workflow platforms or authentication and authorisation systems. * Technical collaboration with scientific communities or international research infrastructures. * Familiarity with open science, FAIR data principles, research repositories or EOSC-related services would be an advantage. * Experience in a coordinating role in distributed scientific communities around data analysis and data management would be an asset. * Experience with tools such as Rucio, REANA, CVMFS, Notebook technology (e.g. JupyterLab), or Zenodo/InvenioRDM would be an asset.

Technical competencies:

* Knowledge of programming techniques and languages: for scientific computing services, particularly in Python, with familiarity in web technologies such as JavaScript and React. * Architecture and design of ICT systems: design, deployment and operation of distributed systems and cloud-native applications. * Knowledge of operating systems: knowledge of containerisation and orchestration technologies such as Kubernetes and Helm. * Data-intensive computing, data management and federated data access. * Experience with analysis platforms, workflow systems or Virtual Research Environments.

Behavioural competencies:

* Demonstrating Accountability: taking responsibility for own actions and decisions. * Working in Teams: cooperating constructively with others in the pursuit of team goals; balancing personal goals with team goals. * Communicating Effectively: checking to ensure that the message has been well understood. * Solving Problems: addressing complex problems by breaking them down into manageable components. * Achieving Results: driving work / projects along and seeing them through to their conclusion.

Language skills:

* Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility and closing date:

[Diversity](https://diversity.web.cern.ch/) 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. We welcome applications from all [Member States and Associate Member States](https://home.cern/about/member-states).

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than 21.07.2026 at 23:59 CEST.

Employment Conditions:

Contract type: Limited duration contract (5 years). Subject to certain conditions, holders of limited-duration contracts may apply for an indefinite position.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week

Job Flexibility: Hybrid

This position involves:

* Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization. * Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job grade: 6-7

Job reference: IT-CA-IR-2026-139-LD

Field of work: Software Engineering and IT

Benchmark Job Title: Computing Engineer

Global Benefits

* A [competitive salary](https://careers.cern/pay-benefits-and-support/)(tax free), increasing in line with your years of relevant experience. * 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, removal, travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances. * Possibility to extend your contract up to 8 years + eligibility for indefinite contract tenure.

Overview of CERN -Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, we are pushing the frontiers of science and technology. Our groundbreaking work brings together not only physicists but also a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative fields. Together, we foster an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.

If you are ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive community pushing the boundaries of knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive. Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe!TAKE PART!

More information about us, here:[careers.cern](https://careers.cern/)

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 23 June 2026, 29 days ago.

No closing date is published in the source feed for this position. EU vacancies typically remain open for four to eight weeks; check the official vacancy notice for the cut-off date and time.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 21 July 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at CERN see the CERN institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Geneva see our Geneva location page; for related vacancies in the Information Technology field browse our Information Technology domain page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.

Career trajectory

Career progression for this grade staff is governed by Articles 44 to 46 of the Staff Regulations (consolidated text on EUR-Lex) and Annex IB on the promotion procedure. Step increases are automatic every two years (Art. 44); grade promotion is competitive, based on the appraisal exercise (Art. 45) and the Career Development Review. For roles at CERN, progression to the next grade typically takes three to five years on merit, with two-yearly step increases in between. Article 46 governs the classification at recruitment, which sets the starting step within the grade (usually step 1 for external recruits without prior EU service, step 2 or 3 where relevant professional experience is recognised).
Mobility within the institutions is encouraged via the inter-institutional and intra-institutional vacancy publication system: temporary agents who pass the probation period and reservists from EPSO laureate lists can typically apply to internal vacancies after one year of service. Lateral moves between Directorates-General reset the seniority clock for promotion only if the new post carries a different grade.

Language profile

Beyond the formal language requirements stated in the vacancy notice, the day-to-day working languages at this employer are English and French in roughly equal measure, with German appearing in some technical files. Internal meetings and most policy drafting in Brussels run in English; French remains the preferred internal language in Luxembourg-based services and parts of DG TRADE.

Application cadence

CERN has not advertised another comparable role with the same grade and Information Technology signature in the past twenty-four months. This opening has rarely been seen on the EU Careers feed and may be the first such posting in our two-year window. Applicants who pass the eligibility checks should not assume the same profile will reopen on a predictable cadence.

Source: This job listing was sourced from the official EU Careers portal (EPSO). First published: .

Remove ads and unlock all features Go Premium