Software Engineer in Physics Simulation (IT-CE-PSE-2026-167-GRAP)

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

Benefits offered by this job

30 days paid leave

Health insurance

Pension scheme

Relocation package

Training programs

Contract extension up to 36 months

Job summary

CERN in Geneva seeks a Software Engineer in Physics Simulation within the IT-CE-PSE group to advance performance software for high-energy physics data simulation. The role focuses on accelerating Monte Carlo workflows and MadGraph using GPUs and modern CPUs, with collaboration across physics and software teams.

Training on data science, languages, and computing architectures is available. Hybrid work, 24–36 month contracts, and comprehensive CERN benefits are included.

Qualifications

• PhD in Theoretical or Particle Physics or MSc with equivalent experience.
• Strong background in numerical simulation and performance software engineering.

Responsibilities

• Analyse and profile existing simulation code bases and improve throughput.
• Implement modern software engineering concepts; leverage GPUs and heterogeneous compute platforms.
• Collaborate with theory, experimental physics and software engineering communities at CERN and worldwide.
• Supervise students on software development tasks and projects.

Skills

C++

CUDA

HIP

Python

Education

Master's Degree

PhD

Tools

MadGraph

Job description

Software Engineer in Physics Simulation (IT-CE-PSE-2026-167-GRAP)

• Full-time
• Compensation: CHF 6,372 - CHF 7,004 - monthly

We are offering a position in the Physics Software Engineering section of the Computing for Experiments group in the CERN IT department (IT-CE-PSE) on Performance Software Engineering in the realm of high energy physics data simulation.

The work on this post will be carried out in the context of the NextGen project, a collaboration between the LHC experiments and the CERN Research and Computing Departments. NextGen explores the use and impact of high-performance computing architectures in data simulation and data processing for the LHC experiments with a focus on the upcoming High Luminosity (HL-LHC) data taking phase at the CERN Large Hadron Collider.

The simulation of particle collisions is one of the main consumers of computing resources for LHC experiments. Given the expected increase in the required statistics, accuracy and complexity for future simulation, and to stay within the forecasted computing budget, the throughput of simulation software packages needs to increase substantially.

The successful candidate will join a team of software engineers and physicists that addresses this challenge. Together, you will speed up software packages for Monte Carlo (MC) event generation with a focus on the Madgraph event generator suite. Current and future tasks tackled by the team are at the intersection of theoretical/computational physics and computer science. In order to profit from the latest computing hardware, adaptations or re-engineering of software in aspects such as data structures, parallelisation of the workflow or task scheduling are needed. This work is guided by the requirements of experimental analyses and takes into account the latest developments in theoretical predictions.

In case of interest, training on data science, programming languages, software engineering concepts and computing architectures is available and can be provided via various training programs.

Your responsibilities:

• Analyse and profile existing simulation code bases and develop strategies for improving their throughput.
• Implement latest software engineering concepts, leveraging on compute accelerators such as GPUs, modern CPU architectures and heterogeneous compute platforms.
• Interact and collaborate with experts in the theory, experimental physics and software engineering communities at CERN and world-wide.
• Supervise students on software development tasks and projects.

Your profile:

• Preferably a PhD in Theoretical or Particle Physics or Master's Degree with equivalent work experience with a strong background in numerical simulation.
• Proficiency in working with computing hardware accelerators and modern computing architectures, including heterogeneous compute platforms.
• A proven track record in performance software engineering for simulation applications in C++ and GPU programming languages such as CUDA or HIP.
• Knowledge of state of the art profiling tools for heterogeneous computing architectures.
• Experience with the Madgraph event generator software as a developer or user is highly valued.

Skills:

• Proficiency in modern C++ (up to C++23), GPU programming with CUDA and HIP, and Python for scripting, analysis and tooling is essential.
• Knowledge of hard scattering processes and the perturbative order of their matrix element calculations in Monte Carlo event generators is strongly desirable.
• Familiarity with Fortran is an advantage.
• Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of the other language.

Eligibility criteria:

• You have a professional background in Theoretical or 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.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Hybrid

This position involves:

• 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.

Job reference: IT-CE-PSE-2026-167-GRAP

Field of work: Information Technologies

Benchmark job: 200020 - Computing Engineer

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

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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!TAKE PART!

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