Developer for the CMS Level-1 Trigger (EP-CMS-TDQ-2026-157-GRAP)

CERN; Genf; Hybrid; CHF 71,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Monthly net stipend 6,372–7,004 CHF

30 days paid leave + 2 weeks annual‑re

Health insurance & Pension

Job summary

CERN invites applications to contribute to the CMS Level-1 trigger upgrade, developing firmware for FPGA-based systems and evaluating performance. You will work with a team, integrating contributions, and help deploy the upgraded trigger hardware while collaborating with CMS L1 groups at CERN.

Ideal candidates bring FPGA/HDL/HLS experience, data analysis in high-energy physics, and ML skills, plus CI/QA know-how and English proficiency; French learning is encouraged.

Qualifications

• Experience in FPGA firmware development using HDL and HLS tools.
• Data analysis experience, preferably in high-energy physics.
• Practical ML solutions experience.
• Experience with CI and QA techniques and tools.
• Familiarity with trigger/data acquisition systems and high-speed links is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop algorithms for the CMS Level-1 trigger.
• Integrate and maintain contributions from other developers.
• Evaluate physics performance and monitoring systems.
• Participate in hardware testing and installation of upgraded trigger system.
• Collaborate with CMS L1 trigger groups at CERN.
• Present progress at meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• This role includes team supervision responsibilities.

Skills

FPGA firmware

HDL

HLS tools

C++

Python

Git

ROOT

Machine learning

CI/QA

English

Education

Master's degree in Physics or related field

PhD in Physics or related field

Tools

Vivado

Vitis HLS

GitLab

CI pipelines

Job description

In preparation for the High-Luminosity LHC phase, the CMS collaboration is working on an ambitious upgrade of the first stage of its online selection system, the Level-1 (L1) trigger. The upgraded system will use powerful FPGA processors connected through a high-bandwidth network, paving the way for more sophisticated online algorithms such as Particle Flow reconstruction.

By joining the team, you will contribute to the development of these algorithms, their implementation in firmware, and the evaluation of their physics performance.

Your responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of algorithms for the CMS Level-1 (L1) trigger.
• Integrate and maintain contributions from other developers to support collaborative project development.
• Evaluate the physics performance of the algorithms and contribute to the development of monitoring systems.
• Participate in the hardware testing and installation of the upgraded trigger system.
• Collaborate closely with members of the CMS L1 trigger groups at CERN.
• Present project progress and results at collaboration meetings, workshops, and international conferences.
• This role includes team supervision responsibilities.

Your profile

• Experience in FPGA firmware development using HDL and High-Level Synthesis (HLS) tools.
• Experience in data analysis, preferably in the field of high-energy physics.
• Practical experience in developing and applying machine learning solutions to real-world problems.
• Experience with Continuous Integration (CI) and quality assurance techniques and tools.
• Familiarity with trigger or data acquisition systems and their associated hardware, such as high-speed optical links, would be an advantage.

Skills

• Proficiency in software development using C++, Python, and Git is required.
• Knowledge of data analysis tools and techniques, including ROOT and machine learning frameworks, is required.
• Experience with the following software and technologies would be an advantage: Vivado Design Suite, Vivado/Vitis High-Level Synthesis (HLS), GitLab, and continuous integration workflows.
• Strong collaborative skills and effective communication are essential.
• 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 a related field) and have either:
  • 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: 19.10.2026 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: Hybrid

Target start date: 01-January-2027

This position involves:

• Interventions in underground installations.

Job reference: EP-CMS-TDQ-2026-157-GRAP

Field of work: Applied Physics

Benchmark job: 200140 - Applied Physicist

Global Benefits

• A monthly net stipend of either 6372 or 7004 Swiss Francs per month 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!

More information about us, here: careers.cern