Silicon Photonics Characterisation and Design Engineer (EP-ESE-BE-2026-109-GRAP) — CERN
- Location
- Genève
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- Yesterday
Role overview
Join CERN's detector R&D program for future high-energy physics experiments, working on advanced optical communication technologies for next-generation particle detectors.
In this role, you will contribute to the development of radiation-tolerant Silicon Photonics components for high-speed data transmission in challenging environments.
Your work will include hands-on laboratory characterisation of Silicon Photonics circuits and the design of innovative photonic devices.
- Join CERN's detector R&D program for future high-energy physics experiments, working on advanced optical communication technologies for next-generation particle detectors.
- In this role, you will contribute to the development of radiation-tolerant Silicon Photonics components for high-speed data transmission in challenging environments.
- Your responsibilities
- Contribute to the electro-optical characterisation of custom-designed photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
- Proven experience in design and simulation of photonic components and integrated photonic circuits.
- Experience in laboratory characterisation of optical and photonic components using OSAs, tunable lasers, and power meters.
Main responsibilities
- Your responsibilities
- Contribute to the electro-optical characterisation of custom-designed photonic integrated circuits (PICs).
- Validate the PIC measurement results against optical simulations.
- Support the integration and evaluation of PICs with particle readout chips (ROCs).
- Prototype and demonstrate coarse wavelength-division multiplexing (CWDM) data-transmission systems.
- Characterise and benchmark different data-link architectures.
- Simulate and design a new generation of test PICs based on measurement results from existing PICs.
- Present the progress to project meetings and conferences.
- Document measurement and simulation results and methods.
Key requirements
- Proven experience in design and simulation of photonic components and integrated photonic circuits.
- Experience in laboratory characterisation of optical and photonic components using OSAs, tunable lasers, and power meters.
- Proven experience in high-speed electro-optical measurements utilising pattern generators, oscilloscopes, error detectors, VNAs, and spectrum analysers.
- Hands-on experience in automation of measurement setups for opto-electronic devices.
- Extended experience in analysis and interpretation of experimental and measurement data. Skills
- Expert user of photonic simulation tools (e.g., Ansys Lumerical, Synopsys RSoft).
- Proficient user of electronic and optical laboratory instrumentation, including high-speed measurement techniques.
- Expert user of C-based programming languages or Python.
- Expert in data analysis and visualisation using Python, MATLAB, or equivalent.
- Familiar with Linux-based development environments.
- Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French. Eligibility criteria:
- You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State .
Company and context
- Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization. Job reference: EP-ESE-BE-2026-109-GRAP
- Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering Benchmark job: 200050 Electronics Engineer 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.
- At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, we are pushing the frontiers of science and technology.
Additional details
- This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of photonics, electronics, and particle detection technologies.
- Extended experience in analysis and interpretation of experimental and measurement data.
- Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French. Eligibility criteria:
- Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum. Working hours: 40 hours per week Job flexibility: Fully Onsite Target start date: 01-November-2026 This position involves:
- Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization. Job reference: EP-ESE-BE-2026-109-GRAP
- Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering Benchmark job: 200050 Electronics Engineer
Notes and original content
- Your profile
- Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.
- Eligibility criteria:
- Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.
- Working hours: 40 hours per week
- Job flexibility: Fully Onsite
- Target start date: 01-November-2026
- This position involves:
- Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.
- Job reference: EP-ESE-BE-2026-109-GRAP
Questions about this listing
What salary does CERN offer for this role?
CERN lists CHF 60'500 - 91'500 gross per year for this position in Genève. This is the salary published in the original listing (or, when the employer omits a figure, a realistic estimate for the role and sector) — the calculator on this site converts it to your actual net take-home once cross-border tax and social contributions are applied.
Is this a full-time role, and what type of contract does CERN offer?
This listing is a full-time position. The contract type shown here comes directly from the employer's original posting; always confirm exact hours, notice period and probation length with CERN during the application process, since these details can vary by role even within the same contract category.
Do I need a cross-border work permit for a role in Geneva?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton Geneva can apply for a G permit; the Swiss employer files it with that canton's migration office after the contract is signed. Border-zone rules and processing times vary by neighbouring country and canton, so confirm the specifics with Geneva's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at CERN?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to CERN's original listing at jobs.smartrecruiters.com, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
