Job Description

Your responsibilities

We are working to bring Silicon Photonics into the readout and control data communication systems of CERN’s particle physics detectors and accelerators. The successful deployment of Silicon Photonics technology in CERN’s detector systems relies on mastering the ability to co-package Photonic Integrated Circuits (PICs) with Electronic ASICs and detector elements. This mastery involves both the connection of optical fibres to the PIC as well as the high-speed electrical signals for connection of the PIC to the ASIC. CERN has recently acquired in-house capability for alignment of optical fibres to PICs, as well as wire-bonding tools suitable for high-speed electrical interconnects.

Are you looking to apply your knowledge in Photonic Integration to a new and exciting area of active R&D? CERN is looking for a talented engineer or applied physicist who is keen to apply their existing knowledge to a unique problem area. You will learn to use an industry-standard fibre alignment system and then use this system to conceive and construct assemblies of co-packaged Photonics and electronic circuits. You will also learn about the mechanical and thermal constraints of the final co-packaged assemblies in order to be able to take them into account when defining the implementation.

The environment inside a typical CERN detector is somewhat unusual, and you will learn about the nature of this environment to be able to assess the suitability of the co-packaging solution for such an environment. This means taking into account aspects such as the radiation tolerance and/or the outgassing of materials like adhesives. In case no prior knowledge can be found in the literature then you will learn how to design and carry out the necessary experiments to assess the behavior of the various materials in the CERN detector environment.

You will join a team of around ten physicists, technicians, and engineers which has several decades of experience in bringing optical communications technology to the CERN detector environment. Presenting your work orally at different levels both inside and outside the organisation is an important part of the job. Interaction will also be required with industry experts outside of CERN to keep abreast of the latest technology innovations in this fast moving field as being able to adapt technology to the application is a key skill that will developed in this position.

Your profile

Required Skills

• Proven experience of Silicon Photonics Technology
• Experience of working in a laboratory with instrumentation used to characterize electronic and photonic circuits
• Proven experience of working in a team
• Desire to find practical solutions to problems in close collaboration with colleagues and external partners
• Fluent in English

Desired Skills

• Knowledge of Silicon Photonics packaging techniques
• Experience of the use of optical ray tracing software, for example Zemax

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Electronics Engineering, Applied 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: January 15 at 23:59 CET.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-March-2025

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• A valid driving licence.

Job reference: EP-ESE-BE-2024-187-GRAP

Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6212 and 6828 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Depending on your individual circumstances: installation grant; family, child and infant allowances; payment of travel expenses at the beginning and end of contract.
• 30 days of paid leave per year.
• On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.

About us

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter – fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on http://home.cern.

We are on a Quest. A Journey into discovery like no other. Bring your expertise to our unique work and develop your knowledge and skills at pace. Join world-class subject matter experts on unique projects, in a Quest for greater knowledge and deeper understanding.

Begin your CERN Quest. Take Part!

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN’s mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success.