Job Description

Join the Next-Generation Triggers project at CERN to work on optimising key algorithms for real-time data processing on GPUs. Take an active role in developing and improving components such as matrix operations and approximation algorithms, exploring varied floating-point precision to maximise performance and efficiency. You will work in a diverse, collaborative team of physicists and software engineers, contributing to open-source, open-access software that supports the physics reach of CERN experiments.

Your responsibilities

• Write and develop algorithms for CUDA, ROCm, and abstraction layers such as alpaka;
• Benchmark and optimise code for high performance;
• Collect, select, combine, and extend existing implementations (e.g., in C++ and CUDA) to ensure long-term maintainability;
• Work on accelerated mathematical libraries, including matrix operations (potentially using Eigen) and Runge-Kutta evaluation;
• Present work to the Next Generation Triggers project, collaborating experiments, and at international conferences;
• This role includes team supervision responsibilities.

More information here.

Your profile

Experience:

• Programming in C++ and CUDA;
• Beneficial would be experience with AMD GPU programming, GPU profiling / benchmarking and algorithm optimisation;
• Presenting results through presentations and publications.

Skills:

• Knowledge of C++20;
• Linear algebra / matrix calculation;
• GPU programming in CUDA, HIP, or SYCL;
• Using git workflows (branches, pull requests);
• 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 Software engineering or Applied 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: 07.01.2026 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

Job reference: EP-CMD-2025-213-GRAP

Field of work: Software Engineering and IT

Benchmark job: 200140 - Applied Physicist

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.