Software Engineer for Data Acquisition (EP-SME-SHP-2025-20-GRAE)

Job Description

Your responsibilities

The Search for Hidden Particles (SHiP) experiment is a newly approved project set to be installed at the SPS accelerator complex at CERN. Its goal is to explore signatures of feebly interacting particles, which could provide insights into the origins of neutrino mass and dark matter. As a Software Engineer in the SHiP team, you will play a key role in the design and development of the experiment's Data Acquisition (DAQ) system. Your work will involve a dynamic range of tasks, from low-level C++ library development for communication between components to the deployment of full-stack web applications. You will collaborate closely with detector and readout hardware teams to ensure seamless integration.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop core components of the Data Acquisition system for SHiP.
• Implement low-level C++ communication libraries for real-time data exchange.
• Develop and deploy full-stack web applications for monitoring and control.
• Collaborate with hardware engineers and detector specialists to integrate the system.
• Perform rigorous testing and validation of software and hardware interfaces.
• Contribute to the commissioning of a small-scale, fully operational DAQ system.

Your profile

Skills

• Strong programming skills in C++ and Python (experience with low-level communication libraries is a plus).
• Experience with Linux environments
• Familiarity with Full-Stack web development (JavaScript, Python, SQL)
• Knowledge of DevOps technologies, including Git, Docker, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Experience with real-time systems and hardware/software integration.
• Background in scientific computing or particle physics experiments is a plus.
• Ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team.

​​​​​​​Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State .
• By the application deadline, you have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Computer Science or related field (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is either a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Applicants without University degree are not eligible.
• Applicants with a PhD are not eligible.

Additional Information

Job closing date: 18.03.2025 at 23:59 hrs CET.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-May-2025

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job reference: EP-SME-SHP-2025-20-GRAE

Field of work: Software Engineering and IT

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 5196  and 5716  Swiss Francs (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.

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.