Research Software Engineer - Finance (EP-SFT-2025-194-GRAP)

Entry Finance & Economy

Overview

Join CERN to develop financial algorithms and tools using particle physics data analysis techniques.

You have:

• Experience in building data analysis libraries with C++ and Python.
• Data analysis experience and domain knowledge in particle physics or finance (or both).
• Experience working on large codebase open source projects.
• You have 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.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Contract

This is a Entry Level contract. More about Entry Level contracts.

Job Description

Are you excited about bringing together particle physics and finance? Project HighLO applies data analysis techniques from physics to financial markets, helping regulators and exchanges tackle challenges like fraud detection.

We are looking for a Research Software Engineer to turn our research into production-ready algorithms and tools. ROOT (root.cern) is a C++/Python framework developed at CERN and used worldwide in particle physics, and also in Project HighLO.

You will work as a member of two diverse and creative teams: CERN's ROOT team and the HighLO research collaboration.

Your responsibilities:

• Work with us on a ROOT-based framework for analysing limit order book data.
• Collaborate with financial institutions to adapt our software to their needs and support the deployment process.
• Use your experience in data analysis, helping us to apply statistical data analysis techniques used in particle physics to financial data.
• Build solutions to analyse streamed data with ROOT in real time.
• Work on data structures in ROOT that are used in financial data analysis.

Your profile:

• Experience in building data analysis libraries with C++ and Python.
• Data analysis experience and domain knowledge in particle physics or finance (or both).
• Experience working on large codebase open source projects.

Skills:

Proficiency in:

• Python, C++.
• Git, CMake.

Optional, but considered a plus:

• Knowledge of ROOT.
• Web technologies like React or Next.js to be used for interactive analysis dashboards.
• 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, Finance, Computer Science (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: 18.01.2026 at 23:59 CET.

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-March-2026

This position involves:

• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job reference: EP-SFT-2025-194-GRAP

Field of work: Software Engineering and IT

Benchmark job: 200020 - Computing Engineer

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.

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Added 6 months ago - Updated 6 months ago - Source: careers.cern