Computer Scientist - Open Science/Analysis Facilities (IT-CA-IR-2026-139-LD)

Overview

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers probe the fundamental structure of the universe.

Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter and how particles interact, providing insights into the fundamental laws of nature.

Job Details

Join CERN’s IT Department and contribute to the development of scientific computing services supporting analysis facilities, open data, and interoperable research infrastructures.

The Collaborative Applications Group (IT-CA) delivers platforms and services that enable collaboration, knowledge sharing, and scientific information management across CERN and its communities.

• Functions
• Contribute to the technical design, development and operation of analysis facilities supporting scalable and reproducible scientific analysis workflows.
• Design and implement Virtual Research Environments (VREs) combining data management, workflow execution, software distribution and analysis services.
• Contribute to federated scientific data infrastructures, including data lake concepts, distributed data management and large‑scale data access.
• Support and coordinate technical activities with scientific communities involved in open science data challenges, including particle physics and external research infrastructures, and contribute to the technical coordination role in the ESCAPE collaboration.
• Develop and maintain software components, service integrations and operational tooling for scientific computing services, including cloud‑native deployments and automation.
• Promote common solutions and best practices across communities, contributing to competence centres, working groups and collaborative technical forums.
• Work with research infrastructures and scientific domains such as particle physics, astronomy, astroparticle physics, and others to translate requirements into robust computing solutions.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or Ph D or equivalent relevant experience in Software Engineering, Physics or a related field.

Experience

• Development and operation of scientific computing platforms or research services.
• Analysis facilities, distributed analysis environments or interactive scientific workflows.
• Large‑scale data management, data lake architectures or federated infrastructures.
• Integration of research data services, repositories, workflow platforms or authentication and authorisation systems.
• Technical collaboration with scientific communities or international research infrastructures.
• Familiarity with open science, FAIR data principles, research repositories or EOSC‑related services is an advantage.
• Experience in a coordinating role in distributed scientific communities around data analysis and data management is an asset.
• Experience with tools such as Rucio, REANA, CVMFS, Notebook technology (e. g. Jupyter Lab), or Zenodo/Invenio RDM is an asset.
• Technical Competencies
• Knowledge of programming techniques and languages, especially Python, with familiarity in web technologies such as Java Script and React.
• Architecture and design of ICT systems: design, deployment and operation of distributed systems and cloud‑native applications.
• Knowledge of operating systems, containerisation and orchestration technologies such as Kubernetes and Helm.
• Data‑intensive computing, data management and federated data access.
• Experience with analysis platforms, workflow systems or Virtual Research Environments.
• Behavioural Competencies
• Demonstrating Accountability: taking responsibility for own actions and decisions.
• Working in Teams: cooperating constructively with others in the pursuit of team goals; balancing personal goals with team goals.
• Communicating Effectively: ensuring the message has been well understood.
• Solving Problems: addressing complex problems by breaking them down into manageable components.
• Achieving Results: driving work and projects forward to their conclusion.
• Language Skills
• Spoken and written English; commitment to learn French.
• Eligibility And Closing Date

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN’s mission.

We welcome applications from all Member States and Associate Member States.

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than at 23:59 CEST

• Employment Conditions
• Contract type: Limited duration contract (5 years). Holders of limited‑duration contracts may apply for an indefinite position.
• Working hours: 40 hours per week.
• Job flexibility: Hybrid.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays when required by the needs of the Organization.
• Stand‑by duty when required by the needs of the Organization.
• Global Benefits
• Competitive salary (tax free), increasing with experience.
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 additional weeks for annual closure.
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for you, your spouse and children) and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on circumstances.
• Relocation package (installation grant, removal, travel expenses) depending on circumstances.
• Possibility to extend the contract up to 8 years and eligibility for indefinite contract tenure.
• #J-18808-Ljbffr