Silicon Photonics Characterisation and Design Engineer (EP-ESE-BE-2026-109-GRAP)

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.
• Your profile
• 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.

Requirements

• 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 .
• You have a professional background in Electronic Engineering or 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.
• Job closing date: 03.07.2026 at 23:59 CEST.
• 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-September-2026
• This position involves:
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays.
• Work in Radiation Areas.
• 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.
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Benefits

Additional Information

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. This position offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of photonics, electronics, and particle detection technologies.

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