Detector Scientist (EP-ATL-TRK-2026-116-GRAP)
Assemble and test silicon pixel detector modules.
Overview
Assemble and test silicon pixel detector modules.
You have:
- 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.
- 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.
Contract
This is a Entry Level contract. More about Entry Level contracts.
Job Description
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.
Overview of CERN - Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!
At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, we are pushing the frontiers of science and technology. Our groundbreaking work brings together not only physicists but also a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative fields. Together, we foster an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.
Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.
If you are ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive community pushing the boundaries of knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive. Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe! TAKE PART!
More information about us, here: careers.cern
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe a project where you successfully improved a production process? | This question assesses your practical experience in optimizing workflows. | Provide specific examples where your input led to measurable improvements. |
| How do you manage tight schedules while working on complex projects? | Interviewers want to evaluate your project management skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What experience do you have with silicon tracking detectors? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you elaborate on your experience with laboratory instrumentation? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Have you ever automated a laboratory procedure? If so, how did you approach it? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you ensure the accuracy and repeatability of your measurements? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a situation where you worked in a multidisciplinary team. What was your contribution? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What challenges have you faced while working in an international research collaboration, and how did you overcome them? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 13 days ago
-
Updated 9 hours ago
-
Source:
careers.cern
