Detector Scientist (EP-ATL-TRK-2026-116-GRAP)
CERN - The European Research Center of Particle Physics
Employment Type: Full-time
During the ATLAS Phase-II upgrade in Long Shutdown 3, an all-silicon Inner Tracker (ITk) will be installed, consisting of four silicon strip layers and five hybrid pixel layers. The detector will provide exceptional radiation hardness and fast charged-particle reconstruction. The CERN ATL-TRK team contributes to the ITk pixel detector construction through the assembly, testing, and integration of hybrid pixel detector modules and their further integration into the detector.
Your responsibilities
- Assemble and test silicon pixel detector modules used in particle physics experiments.
- Support and improve production processes to achieve and maintain high throughput levels.
- Contribute to increasing the parallelisation of testing procedures in laboratory environments.
- Develop and maintain in-house software tools to optimise workflows and analyse test data.
- Work with databases to record, track, and evaluate measurement results.
- Present progress and results to internal teams and the wider project community.
- Assist in upgrading laboratory equipment and procedures to meet evolving project requirements.
- Collaborate closely with engineers, physicists, and technicians in a multidisciplinary team.
- Contribute to the integration of assembled detector modules into larger sub-systems of the ATLAS ITk Pixel detector.
Your profile
- Experience with the assembly, testing, and characterisation of silicon detector modules or similar systems.
- Practical experience with laboratory instrumentation such as probe stations, metrology systems, or optical inspection instruments.
- Ability to perform quality control measurements and evaluate results with attention to accuracy and repeatability.
- Experience in automating laboratory procedures and data acquisition using programming languages such as Python.
- Familiarity with data analysis, database tools, and documentation systems used in detector production or similar environments.
- Experience working in large, international research collaborations and contributing to common infrastructure or shared facilities.
- Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritise and deliver results under tight schedules in a production environment.
Skills
- Knowledge of silicon tracking detectors for high energy physics experiments.
- Experience in handling silicon detector modules and required laboratory equipment.
- Experience with common programming languages such as Python.
- Knowledge of data analysis and evaluation for silicon detector modules.
- Organised, accurate and independent approach to work.
- Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and international collaborations.
- 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 Electronics (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: 14.07.2026 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-September-2026
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-ATL-TRK-2026-116-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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