Digital electronics engineer (SY-RF-LL-2025-17-GRAP)

Job Description

Your responsibilities

Are you an Electronics Engineer passionate about developing cutting-edge acquisition and control systems? Join us in advancing readout systems for superconducting RF (SRF) cavities, focusing on a low-noise system for axion dark matter searches. You'll implement an ultra-low-noise control framework for a novel SRF cavity, performing high-sensitivity exclusion scans for dark matter scenarios.

Working with digital electronics experts, you’ll enhance the SRF measurement framework over a 3-year term, culminating in commissioning and a dedicated data-taking run. This project is part of CERN’s Quantum Technology Initiative (QTI) and Physics Beyond Colliders (PBC) programme within the LLRF section of the RF Group. You'll collaborate closely with SRF cavity experts and the wider QTI community.

Your role involves rolling out an FPGA-based digital low-level RF (LLRF) system for SRF cavity readout. You’ll refine the existing LLRF framework, integrate control and measurement algorithms, and lead in-situ commissioning. Additionally, you'll design and implement enhanced noise suppression methods using Carrier Suppression Interferometry (CSI) for the QTI dark matter initiative.

Functions:

• Validate and release the LLRF framework for SRF cavity measurements.
• Implement CSI for ultra-low-noise signals in exclusion search measurements.
• Roll out and commission dedicated SRF LLRF systems.
• Develop and refine algorithms for CERN QTI use cases.

Your profile

Skills

• This position is looking for someone with established experience in signal processing and accelerator physics, particularly in the area of RF cavities. As such, your technical competencies should include at least 3 of the following:
• Established experience in LLRF systems for RF cavities;
• Established experience with development of complex FPGA designs (ideally with VHDL experience)
• Experience with test bench validation of analysis and debugging techniques for FPGA designs;
• Knowledge of Python for hardware testing;
• Development and review of measurement/DAQ systems used in related R&D fields.

Technical competencies:

• Design and analysis of RF systems
• Design, construction and testing of low-level RF components and systems
• Knowledge and application of RF techniques
• Operation and maintenance of RF components and systems
• Fluent in English, the ability to work in French would be an advantage.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Electronics Engineering (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: 9th March 2025 at 23:59 hrs CET.

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

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Target start date: 01-Apr-2025

This position involves:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• Residence in the immediate vicinity of the Organization's installations.
• A valid driving licence.

Job reference: SY-RF-LL-2025-17-GRAP

Field of work: Electrical or Electronics Engineering

What we offer

• A monthly stipend ranging between 6287 and 6911 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.