Applied Physicist for CMS Inner Detectors

You will develop algorithms, FPGA firmware, and data acquisition systems for CMS online luminosity measurement, beam monitoring, and Tracker calibration for the High Luminosity LHC, and coordinate such developments. This involves integrating and commissioning back-end systems for luminosity and tracking detectors, enabling real-time data processing and precision luminosity measurements.

Responsibilities

• Develop, deploy, and maintain firmware and real-time algorithms for back-end electronics across multiple CMS board platforms, including systems for the Fast Beam Conditions Monitor (FBCM), Inner and Outer Tracker online luminosity, to support luminosity measurement, beam monitoring, and lumi-trigger generation.
• Validate front-end detectors (including FBCM and Tracker modules) and back-end electronics through laboratory testing, ensuring end-to-end system performance from detector to data output.
• Execute detector functional tests during detector integration at the Tracker Integration Facility, ensuring system readiness prior to installation.
• Organise and lead test campaigns, including preparatory activities, on-site coordination of participants, and systematic validation of hardware, firmware, software and detector response.
• Lead studies of detector efficiency, calibration quality, and operational stability, through measurements and simulations.
• Coordinate technical interfaces across detector, trigger, timing, and data acquisition domains to ensure system integration.
• Supervise and mentor students and fellows, including recruitment and structured technical guidance.
• Anticipate upcoming technical and operational needs, structuring workflows, preparing infrastructure, and engaging with collaborating institutes to ensure continuity of operations.

Requirements

• PhD or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Physics or a related field.
• Hands-on experience with detector laboratories, electronics prototyping, and test beam operations.
• Strong experience in FPGA firmware development (VHDL or similar HDL) and real-time data processing, ideally in particle physics detectors.
• Demonstrated ability to integrate and troubleshoot complex systems spanning firmware, software, and detector hardware, from the detector frontend through to the data output.
• Experience with data analysis, detector efficiency and calibration studies, and the statistical methods relevant to performance evaluation.
• Experience in supervising or mentoring students or junior colleagues, including selecting candidates and adapting guidance to individual strengths.
• You are asked to provide at least one reference letter as part of your application.
• A valid driving licence.
• Medical clearance required due to exposure to electromagnetic fields and radiation areas.
• Ability to work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Skills

• Detector Laboratories
• Electronics Prototyping
• Test Beam Operations
• FPGA development
• VHDL
• Real-time Data Processing
• Particle Physics Detectors
• System Integration
• Firmware Troubleshooting
• System Troubleshooting
• Detector Hardware Troubleshooting
• Data Analysis
• Detector Efficiency Studies
• Calibration Studies
• Statistical Methods
• Performance Evaluation
• Supervising Students
• Mentoring Junior Colleagues
• Algorithm Development
• Data Acquisition Systems
• Luminosity Measurement
• Beam Monitoring
• Tracker Calibration

Languages

English, French