Job Description

Your responsibilities

Are you ready to revolutionize the calibration workflows within CMS and drive forward the future of particle physics research? We’re seeking a dynamic individual to join our team as a High-Level Trigger Calibration Specialist. In this role, you’ll conduct comprehensive analyses, collaborate on prototype design and testing, and integrate production-grade systems to enhance calibration efficiency and optimize online reconstruction. If you’re passionate about pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery, we invite you to embark on this thrilling journey with us.

This position is in the context of the NextGen Triggers (NGT) project. The NGT project is a 5-year collaboration between the LHC experiments and the CERN Research and Computing Sector to push forward the use and impact of innovative Artificial Intelligence technologies and high-performance heterogeneous computing architectures for the LHC experiments’ trigger selection, data processing, and theoretical interpretation, and foster the development of the required technical competencies. The innovation generated while working towards the needs of the High-Luminosity (HL)-LHC phases will provide critical insights to develop future detectors, data flows and theoretical tools.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct a comprehensive analysis of the current calibration workflows within CMS, collaborating with existing team members to gather information about existing calibration procedures.
• Identify areas for improvement in the calibration process and assess the impact of non-optimal calibrations on the physics performance of the online reconstruction by analysing data to quantify calibration inaccuracies.
• Participate in the design and testing of a prototype system aimed at enhancing calibration efficiency, programming algorithms and analysing data to assess the effectiveness of the prototype in improving calibration accuracy and efficiency.
• Integrate and test the production-grade calibration system within the CMS online infrastructure, working closely with system administrators and software engineers to ensure seamless integration.
• Conduct thorough testing of the prototype in a realistic environment, simulating various scenarios to assess performance and reliability, and produce detailed reports evaluating the impact of improved online calibrations on the physics performance of the High-Level Trigger.

The successful candidate will be expected to work well within a team, including colleagues at CERN and collaborating institutes. There will also be opportunities to present their work at conferences/workshops at CERN and outside.

Your profile

Skills and/or knowledge

• Experience in the design, development, and validation of calibration workflows for high-energy physics experiments.
• Knowledge and application of C++ programming and database management systems.
• Experience with Trigger and Data Acquisition systems, their hardware and associated tools.
• Development of software algorithms in the context of an integrated framework. Proficient usage of software development tools (e.g. Github, GitLab) and continuous integration.
• Basic knowledge of Machine Learning and Machine Learning Operations would be a plus.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State. A limited number of positions are also available to candidates from Non-Member States.
• You have a professional background in Physics / Computer Science (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: 17.04.2024 at 12:00 AM (midnight) CEST.

Job reference: EP-CMD-2024-67-GRAP

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

Target start date: 01-May-2024

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6194 and 6808 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.