Detector Scientist (EP-ATL-TRK-2026-116-GRAP)

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.

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.

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