Silicon Photonics Characterisation and Design Engineer (EP-ESE-BE-2026-109-GRAP)
Join CERN's detector R&D program focusing on Silicon Photonics technologies for particle detectors.
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Overview
Join CERN's detector R&D program focusing on Silicon Photonics technologies for particle detectors.
You have:
- Proven experience in design and simulation of photonic components and integrated photonic circuits.
- Experience in laboratory characterisation of optical and photonic components using OSAs, tunable lasers, and power meters.
- Proven experience in high-speed electro-optical measurements utilising pattern generators, oscilloscopes, error detectors, VNAs, and spectrum analysers.
- Hands-on experience in automation of measurement setups for opto-electronic devices.
- Extended experience in analysis and interpretation of experimental and measurement data.
- You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
- You have a professional background in Electronic Engineering or 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.
Contract
This is a Entry Level contract. More about Entry Level contracts.
Job Description
Join CERN's detector R&D program for future high-energy physics experiments, working on advanced optical communication technologies for next-generation particle detectors. In this role, you will contribute to the development of radiation-tolerant Silicon Photonics components for high-speed data transmission in challenging environments. Your work will include hands-on laboratory characterisation of Silicon Photonics circuits and the design of innovative photonic devices. This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of photonics, electronics, and particle detection technologies.
Your responsibilities
- Contribute to the electro-optical characterisation of custom-designed photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
- Validate the PIC measurement results against optical simulations.
- Support the integration and evaluation of PICs with particle readout chips (ROCs).
- Prototype and demonstrate coarse wavelength-division multiplexing (CWDM) data-transmission systems.
- Characterise and benchmark different data-link architectures.
- Simulate and design a new generation of test PICs based on measurement results from existing PICs.
- Present the progress to project meetings and conferences.
- Document measurement and simulation results and methods.
Your profile
- Proven experience in design and simulation of photonic components and integrated photonic circuits.
- Experience in laboratory characterisation of optical and photonic components using OSAs, tunable lasers, and power meters.
- Proven experience in high-speed electro-optical measurements utilising pattern generators, oscilloscopes, error detectors, VNAs, and spectrum analysers.
- Hands-on experience in automation of measurement setups for opto-electronic devices.
- Extended experience in analysis and interpretation of experimental and measurement data.
Skills
- Expert user of photonic simulation tools (e.g., Ansys Lumerical, Synopsys RSoft).
- Proficient user of electronic and optical laboratory instrumentation, including high-speed measurement techniques.
- Expert user of C-based programming languages or Python.
- Expert in data analysis and visualisation using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent.
- Familiar with Linux-based development environments.
- 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 Electronic Engineering or 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: 27.08.2026 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-November-2026
This position involves:
- Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays.
- Work in Radiation Areas.
- Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.
Job reference: EP-ESE-BE-2026-109-GRAP
Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering
Benchmark job: 200050 - Electronics Engineer
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
| Describe your experience with photonic simulation tools. What projects have you worked on? | This question assesses your familiarity and expertise with the software necessary for the role. | Provide specific examples of tools you've used and projects where they were applied. |
| How do you approach the validation of PIC measurement results against optical simulations? | The interviewer wants to understand your validation process and analytical skills. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you elaborate on your experience in high-speed electro-optical measurements? What specific techniques did you use? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe a challenging measurement setup automation project you handled. What was your role? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What methods do you use to analyse and interpret experimental data? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you prioritize your tasks during a demanding project? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What experience do you have working in teams, particularly in interdisciplinary environments? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you plan to improve your French language skills while working at CERN? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 10 days ago
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Updated 7 days ago
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Source:
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