Applied Physicist for ATLAS Trigger Reconstruction (EP-ADT-TR-2025-201-GRAP)

Job Description

The goal of this project is to introduce innovative selections into the ATLAS trigger system to improve the identification of events in difficult regions of the parameter space, including rare Standard Model processes and exotic signatures. In collaboration with NextGen doctoral students, the selected candidate will contribute to the development of the trigger menu for the HL-LHC era.

Your responsibilities:

• Design new triggering algorithms and strategies, including ML/AI-based approaches.
• Identify final states insufficiently covered by the existing trigger configuration.
• Develop tools to support HL-LHC trigger menu studies.
• Simulate trigger selections and estimate trigger rates using data and HL-LHC Monte Carlo samples.
• Ensure proposed solutions meet trigger menu constraints on processing resources and rate limits.
• Collaborate closely with ATLAS trigger and TDAQ upgrade experts.

Your profile

• Experience in AI/ML and with trigger systems.
• Experience with FPGAs and digital electronics.
• Strong background in collider physics.

Skills:

• Strong software skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Experience or willingness to supervise students.
• 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:
  • 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: 15.12.2025 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: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-March-2026

This position involves:

• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job reference: EP-ADT-TR-2025-201-GRAP

Field of work: Experimental Physics

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.