Your responsibilities

The ATLAS data-acquisition system is a large mission-critical quasi-realtime heterogeneous computing infrastructure composed of few thousands servers interconnected by high-performance networks.

The Readout subsystem is a critical element interfacing the data-acquisition infrastructure to the detector electronics via servers hosting custom FGPA-based PCIe optical interfaces. The Readout subsystem must provide reliable bi-directional high-throughput low-latency data transfers between detector electronics and data-acquisition network services.

The selected candidate will be embedded in the CERN Readout team. He or she will take major responsibilities in the operation and upgrade of the Readout system, with focus on the software. On the one hand, the candidate will support the ATLAS operation throughout the ongoing run, improving the existing software base and ensuring a stable and reliable hardware installation. He or she will work with existing software developers as well as firmware engineers and detector experts. At the same time, the candidate will work on the software evolution to meet the demanding requirements of the upcoming upgrade. An anticipated packet-rate increase of a factor of ten requires for clever and efficient software solutions. The candidate will also contribute to the specification of the upgrade server hardware through the evaluation of the software performance on dedicated sample systems.

Your profile

Skills and/or knowledge

• Experience with modern C++ programming techniques, in particular in multi-threaded networked domains. Familiarity with zero-copy networking technologies would provide an advantage.
• Proficiency with software development tools in a Linux environment is a requirement.
• Linux OS performance tuning
• Fluent in English, the ability to work in French would be an advantage.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Software Engineering (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 fellow or graduate contract before.

Job closing date: August 17th 2023 at 12:00 AM (midnight) CET.

Job reference: EP-ADT-DQ-2023-30-GRAP

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Target start date: 01-November-2023

This position requires:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• 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.

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6194 and 6808 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.