Applied Physicist - Pixel-Detector R&D (EP-DT-SD-2025-243-GRAP)

Job Description

Join the CERN Experimental Physics department in its R&D program on technologies for future experiments, focusing on advanced silicon pixel detectors.

The work involves combining sensors and readout electronics into compact, lightweight detector hybrids. You will develop and test new methods for connecting these components, working closely with the R&D team and international collaborators.

Your responsibilities:

• Contribution to the development and validation of in-house hybridisation processes based on advanced interconnect technologies such as conductive adhesives and gold studs.
• Production of functional hybrid assemblies, in collaboration with the participating projects.
• Contribution to the preparation and maintenance of testing infrastructure for laboratory and test-beam measurements.
• Performance testing of advanced hybrid timing and tracking detectors in laboratory measurements and with particle beams.
• Reliability tests (thermal cycling, irradiations) on mechanical and functional samples, development of suitable QA and QC procedures for yield measurement and failure classification, performance measurements before and after thermal cycling and irradiations.
• Analysis of test data, documentation and publication of results.

This role includes team supervision responsibilities.

Your profile:

• Silicon-detector technology: device fabrication and testing.
• Experiment design.
• Material characterisation methods.
• Analysis of test data.

Skills:

• Knowledge of silicon detectors.
• Basic Python programming skills.
• Ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Presentation and documentation of results.
• Spoken and written English or French, with a commitment to learn the basics of the other language.

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: 16.01.2026 at 23:59 CET.

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

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-February-2026

This position involves:

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

Job reference: EP-DT-SD-2025-243-GRAP

Field of work: Applied Physics

Benchmark job: 200140 - Applied Physicist

Global Benefits

• A monthly stipend between 6372-7004 Swiss Francs per month (tax free) 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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