Detector Safety Physicist (EP-ATL-SO-2026-148-GRAP) at CERN · Geneva

Job Description

As a Detector Safety Physicist, you will become part of a small multidisciplinary team responsible for the Detector Safety System (DSS) of the ATLAS experiment.

You will be in charge of the upgrade, commissioning, and definition of the safety systems for the new ATLAS sub-detectors, while contributing to the upgrade of the detector infrastructure for Run 4 operation.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced graduate to gain hands-on experience with applied electronics projects and contribute to large-scale industrial infrastructures in a cutting-edge technological environment.

Your responsibilities:

• Lead the Detector Safety System (DSS) testing and commissioning activities with different sub-systems.
• Monitor the installation of cables used for signals exchanged between the DSS and the different sub-systems.
• Design safety matrices for new sub-systems in collaboration with safety and detector experts.
• Improve monitoring systems in the ATLAS galleries, including water leak detection systems.
• Upgrade central infrastructure components in the ATLAS galleries.
• Participate in the regular maintenance of fire, evacuation, gas, and Oxygen Deficiency Hazard (ODH) safety systems.
• Follow up on and present the progress of work carried out by the DSS team to the ATLAS Safety and Technical Coordination teams.
• This role includes team supervision responsibilities.

Your profile:

• Experience with safety system chains, including analogue and digital sensors, alarms, and interlocks.
• Experience in the wiring and testing of Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) systems.
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols, such as I²C and SPI.
• Experience with electrical and thermal matching of components to circuit board requirements.
• Experience in the development, manufacturing, and assembly of electronic boards.
• Experience operating detector systems in a large-scale collaborative environment.

Skills:

• Ability to follow procedures and remain calm in stressful situations.
• Strong teamwork skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams of scientists and engineers.
• Familiarity with WinCC OA or similar SCADA systems, as well as OPC UA servers.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey research findings clearly.
• Practical knowledge of Python software development would be an advantage.
• 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 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: 29.09.2026 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-November-2026

This position involves:

• Interventions in underground installations.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.
• Exposure to electromagnetic fields under certain exposure conditions.

Given the occupational health risks associated with this position, the selected candidate must obtain medical clearance before a contract offer is confirmed.

Job reference: EP-ATL-SO-2026-148-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.

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