Detector Simulation Physicist (EP-SFT-2026-152-GRAP) — CERN
- Location
- Genève
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- 5 days ago
Role overview
In this role, you will develop and improve GPU-accelerated Monte Carlo detector simulation software within the Geant4 team, with a particular focus on optical photon transport.
You will contribute to software design and implementation, physics validation against established CPU simulations, performance optimisation, and integration into experimental software frameworks. of CERN
Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!
- In this role, you will develop and improve GPU-accelerated Monte Carlo detector simulation software within the Geant4 team, with a particular focus on optical photon transport.
- You will contribute to software design and implementation, physics validation against established CPU simulations, performance optimisation, and integration into experimental software frameworks. of CERN
- Your responsibilities
- Design, develop, and integrate GPU algorithms for optical photon simulation within a Monte Carlo particle-transport framework.
- Experience in developing scientific or physics-simulation software, preferably using modern C++.
- Experience with GPU programming or software development for heterogeneous computing architectures.
Main responsibilities
- Your responsibilities
- Design, develop, and integrate GPU algorithms for optical photon simulation within a Monte Carlo particle-transport framework.
- Compare and validate GPU simulation results against established CPU implementations.
- Develop unit, regression, and physics-validation tests.
Key requirements
- Experience in developing scientific or physics-simulation software, preferably using modern C++.
- Experience with GPU programming or software development for heterogeneous computing architectures.
- Experience with software testing, numerical validation, performance profiling, or optimisation.
- Knowledge of Monte Carlo methods or experience with particle-transport simulation would be an advantage, particularly in the area of optical photon transport.
- Experience contributing to collaborative software projects or working within an international scientific environment would be an advantage. Skills
- Programming languages and technologies: modern C++, CUDA, Python.
- GPU programming, heterogeneous computing, and performance optimisation.
- Git and collaborative software development.
- Unit testing, regression testing, and numerical validation.
- Experience with Monte Carlo particle-transport codes such as Geant4 would be considered an advantage.
- Debugging and profiling tools such as gdb, Compute Sanitiser, perf, Nsight Systems, or Nsight Compute would be considered an advantage.
- Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French. Eligibility criteria:
Application process
- Profile applications, identify performance bottlenecks, and optimise computational performance.
- Collaborate with software teams from the Large Hadron Collider experiments to integrate GPU-enabled particle transport into their simulation frameworks.
- Engage with the international Geant4 collaboration and its user community, particularly in the area of optical photon simulation.
- Contribute to the documentation, maintenance, and long-term quality of the developed software.
Company and context
- Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization. Job reference: EP-SFT-2026-152-GRAP Field of work: Applied Physics Benchmark job: 200140 Applied Physicist Global Benefits
- A monthly net stipend of either 6372 or 7004 Swiss Francs per month 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.
- Our groundbreaking work brings together not only physicists but also a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative fields.
Additional details
- You will contribute to software design and implementation, physics validation against established CPU simulations, performance optimisation, and integration into experimental software frameworks.
- Experience contributing to collaborative software projects or working within an international scientific environment would be an advantage.
- 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: Hybrid Target start date: 01-January-2027 This position involves:
- Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization. Job reference: EP-SFT-2026-152-GRAP Field of work: Applied Physics Benchmark job: 200140
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: Hybrid
- Target start date: 01-January-2027
- This position involves:
- Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.
- Job reference: EP-SFT-2026-152-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.
