SW Developer / Experimental Physicist - European Organization for Nuclear Research (Geneva)

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.

Key responsibilities

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

• Conduct research on machine learning and AI-based approaches for track reconstruction in high pile-up environment of HL-LHC
• Investigate and benchmark novel ML-based tracking algorithms and their integration into ACTS-based EF tracking workflow
• Contribute to studies of physics performance and computational performance of different configurations
• Team supervision responsibilities

Are you eligible?

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

• Education: PhD in Particle Physics / CS (or related field) with Master's degree and 2 to 6 years post-graduation professional experience, or PhD with no more than 3 years post-graduation professional experience
• Experience: Experience in development and application of machine learning or deep learning methods in physics or scientific computing context; hands-on experience in development of offline and/or online reconstruction software
• Languages: English (spoken…), French (commitm…)
• Key skills: Machine learning and deep learning frameworks, ML inference deployment, ML model training, evaluation, and optimisation including hyperparameter tuning and performance benchmarking, C++ and Python programming, Software development workflows (Git, Jira), Understanding of tracking challenges in high track density environments, Ability to lead teams and define directions
• Eligibility: Never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before

Contract and working arrangements

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

Working arrangements: Fully Onsite.

Hiring unit: ATLAS, Experimental Physics.

Position details

Reference

EP-ATL-OSW-2026-121-GRAP

Last Verified

17 July 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for SW Developer / Experimental Physicist at CERN based in Geneva (Other). The vacancy reference is EP-ATL-OSW-2026-121-GRAP. The role falls under the Research domain.

* Full-time

The Event Filter (EF) is part of the ATLAS Trigger and Data Acquisition (TDAQ) system and consists of a multi-threaded asynchronous processing farm of commodity servers (CPUs with or without accelerators) running a subset of offline-like reconstruction algorithms together with menu-driven event selection.

The high-luminosity conditions expected during Phase-II operations introduce significant challenges for object and event reconstruction algorithms planned for the EF, particularly for track reconstruction. The recent definition of the EF farm as a heterogeneous architecture combining CPUs and GPUs opens new opportunities for deploying machine learning models within the EF tracking workflow.

You will be part of the CERN ATLAS team and will contribute to research into the application of ML techniques for track reconstruction at the HL-LHC, with the goal of identifying and exploring the most promising approaches for deployment in the ATLAS EF tracking. The position is part of the [Next Generation Trigger](https://cernbox.cern.ch/pdf-viewer/public/sjvCAmaAPTwr7tJ/CERN%20NextGen%20Triggers%20Proposal%20V1_2_dist.pdf) programme.

Your responsibilities:

* Conduct research on machine learning (ML) and AI-based approaches for track reconstruction, with a focus on the applicability and performance of these methods in the high pile-up environment of the HL-LHC. * Investigate and benchmark novel ML-based tracking algorithms and their integration into the ACTS-based EF tracking workflow. * Contribute to studies of both physics performance and computational performance of the different configurations under study. * This role includes team supervision responsibilities.

Your profile:

* Understanding of tracking challenges in high track density environments, such as at the High-Luminosity LHC. * Experience in the development and application of machine learning or deep learning methods in a physics or scientific computing context. * Hands-on experience in the development of offline and/or online reconstruction software. * Ability to lead teams and define directions.

Skills:

* Machine learning and deep learning frameworks. * Experience with ML inference deployment. * Knowledge of ML model training, evaluation, and optimisation, including hyperparameter tuning and performance benchmarking. * Programming languages: C++ and Python, including software development workflows (Git, Jira). * Experience with large-scale scientific software frameworks (e.g. ACTS, Athena) is considered an asset. * Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

* You have a professional background in PhD in Particle Physics / CS (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.

Job closing date: 17.07.2026 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:

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

Job reference: EP-ATL-OSW-2026-121-GRAP

Field of work: Experimental 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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Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 26 June 2026, 27 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 17 July 2026 (6 days ago).

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 Research field browse our Research 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.