Your responsibilities

This position is part of the NextGen Triggers (NGT) project, a 5-year collaboration between LHC experiments and the CERN Research and Computing Departments. The project aims to leverage innovative Artificial Intelligence technologies and high-performance computing architectures to enhance trigger selection, data processing, and theoretical interpretation for LHC experiments. The insights gained will inform future detector development, data flows, and theoretical tools.

Join our team in developing new firmware and software for the real-time data processing system of the Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment, a major detector at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The project involves upgrading the Level-1 (L1) trigger system to handle the high data rates expected in the future high-luminosity phase of the LHC. Additionally, we're exploring the implementation of a complementary system called L1 Data Scouting, which involves real-time data processing and analysis using FPGA-equipped boards.

Responsibilities:

• Develop an innovative self-supervised physics-informed machine learning approach for fast and robust interpretation of collision events (e.g, classification, regression, anomaly detection) in the CMS Phase-2 L1 Trigger.
• Reduce the L1-scouting dataset size through intelligent data compression while preserving downstream physics reach.
• Statistical interpretation of outlier collision events collected by CMS in 2025 with an anomaly detection trigger based on autoencoders.
• Collaborate effectively within a team, including colleagues at CERN collaborating institutes.
• Present work at conferences/workshops at CERN and external venues.

Your profile

Skills:

• Advanced knowledge in Machine Learning algorithms (boosted decision trees, neural networks) including Fast Machine Learning;
• Knowledge and application of physics analysis methods;
• Trigger and Data Acquisition systems, their hardware and associated tools;
• Software development platforms (e.g. github, gitlab), and continuous integration;
• Basic knowledge and application of FPGA programming including Hardware, Description Languages and High Level Synthesis;
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Physics (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: 30.10.2025 at 23:59 CET.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-January-2026

This position involves:

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

Job reference: EP-CMG-OS-2025-154-GRAP

Field of work: Applied Physics

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6287 and 6911 Swiss Francs per month (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.

We are on a Quest. A Journey into discovery like no other. Bring your expertise to our unique work and develop your knowledge and skills at pace. Join world-class subject matter experts on unique projects, in a Quest for greater knowledge and deeper understanding.

Begin your CERN Quest. Take Part!

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.