ATLAS Forward Detector DAQ Developments

Join CERN’s Experimental Physics Department to contribute to the next generation of instrumentation for the ATLAS experiment at the High-Luminosity LHC. The role involves hardware, firmware and software development in a collaborative international environment focused on the ATLAS Forward Detector upgrade.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the testing and validation of components for the ATLAS Forward Detector upgrade.
• Development and maintenance of software for data acquisition electronics.
• Design and support of online monitoring tools.
• Play an active role in laboratory-based activities at CERN, including the testing of individual electronics components and the validation of the full detector readout chain within the Forward Detectors laboratories.

Requirements

• You are a national of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State (excluding Pakistani and Lithuanian nationals for 2026 start date).
• By the application deadline, you have a master’s degree with 2 to 6 years of professional experience since graduation or a PhD with a maximum of 3 years of professional experience since graduation.
• You are not eligible with only a bachelor’s degree.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Proven experience with data acquisition systems in high-energy physics experiments, including detector readout and integration.
• Familiarity with firmware (e.g. FPGA-based systems) and hardware-software integration is highly desirable.
• Experience with online monitoring systems and real-time data quality assessment is an asset.
• Understanding of trigger systems (in particular Level-1) and detector control/operation concepts is advantageous.
• Practical experience in laboratory work, including testing and validation of electronics components and readout chains.
• Your studies focused on Physics or a related field.
• Strong programming skills in C++ and Python, with solid experience in UNIX/Linux environments.
• Experience with ROOT-based data handling, analysis, and visualisation.
• Demonstrated problem-solving ability and a proactive, "can-do" attitude, with willingness to contribute to detector operation and on-call activities.
• Rigorous and well-organised approach to work, with attention to detail and ability to deliver high-quality results.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and within an international, collaborative team environment.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.
• Given the occupational health risks associated with this position, the selected candidate must obtain medical clearance before a contract offer is confirmed.

Skills

• Data Acquisition Systems
• Detector Readout
• Software-Hardware Integration
• FPGA Firmware Development
• Online Monitoring Systems
• Real-Time Data Quality Assessment
• Trigger Systems Level-1
• Detector Control Concepts
• Electronics Testing and Validation
• C/C++ Programming
• Python Programming
• UNIX/Linux Environments
• ROOT Data Analysis
• Physics Instrumentation
• Laboratory Electronics
• Detector Operation
• Firmware Development
• Data Visualization

Languages

English, French