Developer for the CMS Level-1 Trigger (EP-CMS-TDQ-2026-157-GRAP)

Job Description

In preparation for the High-Luminosity LHC phase, the CMS collaboration is working on an ambitious upgrade of the first stage of its online selection system, the Level-1 (L1) trigger. The upgraded system will use powerful FPGA processors connected through a high-bandwidth network, paving the way for more sophisticated online algorithms such as Particle Flow reconstruction.

By joining the team, you will contribute to the development of these algorithms, their implementation in firmware, and the evaluation of their physics performance.

Your responsibilities:

- Contribute to the development of algorithms for the CMS Level-1 (L1) trigger.
- Integrate and maintain contributions from other developers to support collaborative project development.
- Evaluate the physics performance of the algorithms and contribute to the development of monitoring systems.
- Participate in the hardware testing and installation of the upgraded trigger system.
- Collaborate closely with members of the CMS L1 trigger groups at CERN.
- Present project progress and results at collaboration meetings, workshops, and international conferences.
- This role includes team supervision responsibilities.

Your profile:

- Experience in FPGA firmware development using HDL and High-Level Synthesis (HLS) tools.
- Experience in data analysis, preferably in the field of high-energy physics.
- Practical experience in developing and applying machine learning solutions to real-world problems.
- Experience with Continuous Integration (CI) and quality assurance techniques and tools.
- Familiarity with trigger or data acquisition systems and their associated hardware, such as high-speed optical links, would be an advantage.

Skills:

- Proficiency in software development using C++, Python, and Git is required.
- Knowledge of data analysis tools and techniques, including ROOT and machine learning frameworks, is required.
- Experience with the following software and technologies would be an advantage: Vivado Design Suite, Vivado/Vitis High-Level Synthesis (HLS), GitLab, and continuous integration workflows.
- Strong collaborative skills and effective communication are essential.
- Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

- You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State (https://home.cern/about/member-states).
- 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: 19.10.2026 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: Hybrid

Target start date: 01-January-2027

This position involves:

- Interventions in underground installations.

Job reference: EP-CMS-TDQ-2026-157-GRAP

Field of work: Applied Physics

Benchmark job: 200140 - Applied Physicist

Global Benefits

- A monthly net stipend of either 6372 or 7004 Swiss Francs per month 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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