Job Description

Your responsibilities

Join the ATLAS Trigger team at CERN and play a key role in optimising the New Small Wheel (NSW) trigger, a critical component of the Level-1 Muon Endcap Trigger. The NSW trigger processes signals from sTGC and Micromegas (MM) detectors, delivering muon candidate decisions every 25 ns with sub-microsecond latency. The NSW trigger has been successfully deployed during the current Run3 data taking of LHC . This role focuses on improving trigger efficiency, robustness, and preparing for the ATLAS Run 4 upgrade.

Responsibilities:

During the ongoing Run 3:

• Operate and monitor the performance of the NSW trigger in collaboration with the ATLAS Trigger team.
• Optimise the MM muon candidate selection algorithm for high efficiency and background rejection.
• Study the performance of the sTGC strip-based trigger using the NSW data path.

After the end of Run 3 in July 2026:

• Prepare and optimise the NSW trigger configuration for Run 4.
• Work with NSW trigger test stands in Building 191 or SX1.

Your profile

Skills:

This position is part of the ATLAS Technical Coordination programme. The candidate will take an active part in the ATLAS operations and data taking activities.

The candidate shall have:

• Knowledge of hardware-based triggers; experience with the use of FPGA-based processing systems.
• Experience with modern C++ programming techniques, preferably with experience of developing data analysis software in experimental frameworks like Athena (ATLAS).
• Knowledge of detector physics, preferably of gas-based detectors used in large Muon detector system, as currently used in HEP experiments.
• Proficiency with software development tools in a Linux environment is a requirement.
• 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 Experimental Particle 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: 19.10.2025 at 23:59 CEST.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-January-2026

This position involves:

• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays.
• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.

Job reference: EP-ADT-TR-2025-151-GRAP

Field of work: Experimental Physics

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.