Applied Physicist – Detector Development & Readout Systems (EP-LBD-2025-47-GRAP)

Job Description

Your responsibilities

The newly commissioned Timepix4 telescope is designed for the qualification of fast, low-pitch charged particle detectors, providing a crucial tool for the fast sensor community. You will play a key role in the development, operation, and user support of the telescope. Additionally, you will contribute to the development of a readout board for the Picopix ASIC, a next-generation readout chip for ultra-fast silicon sensors, expected to be available in early 2026. You will also collaborate with a team of electronics engineers and firmware developers, contributing to hardware, firmware, or software development, depending on their expertise. This work supports not only the operation of Picopix but also a broader generic readout framework based on CERN-developed electronics. This position is part of the CERN EP R&D silicon hybrid detector work package and involves close collaboration with the CERN EP R&D data acquisition team, the LHCb VELO team, and international partners.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the development, operation, and user integration of the Timepix4 telescope. • Assist external teams in adapting their readout schemes to the telescope.
• Contribute to the hardware, firmware, or software development of the Picopix ASIC readout board.
• Contribute characterisation of the Picopix ASIC
• Collaborate with CERN teams and international partners on R&D projects for fast silicon sensors.

Your profile

Skills

• Detector Physics.
• Programing (ideally python, C++, at least one of the two).
• Either electronic engineering, firmware or control software development
• Ideally experience with charged particle telescope operation.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Particle detector physics, 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: 09.04.2025 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-July-2025

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• 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.
• Exposure to ionizing radiation and classified as category A.
• Shift work.

Given the occupational health risks associated with this position, the selected candidate must obtain medical clearance before a contract offer is confirmed.

Job reference: EP-LBD-2025-47-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.