Data Storage R&D Engineer (IT-SD-TAB-2026-130-GRAP

Job Description

Join CERN's Storage and Data Management group, to develop data storage systems for physics experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The Storage and Data Management Group is responsible for enabling data access for the laboratory, in particular the long-term archival, preservation and distribution of LHC data to a worldwide scientific community. CERN, take part!

Join CERN's Storage and Data Management group, to develop data storage systems for physics experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). The Storage and Data Management Group is responsible for enabling data access for the laboratory, in particular the long-term archival, preservation and distribution of LHC data to a worldwide scientific community. CERN, take part!

As a Data Storage R&D Engineer you will join the CERN Tape Archive (CTA) team, responsible for the archival and management of 1.5 Exabytes of physics data from the entirety of CERN's experimental programme. Your job will include R&D, software development and operations tasks.

• Analyse metadata and logs to optimise physical data placement on storage media.
• Research appropriate mathematical models and propose optimisations to CTA's scheduling algorithms within specified cost constraints.
• Develop and maintain software in C++/Linux.
• Participate in operations, troubleshooting and support as part of a team.

• You have good technical and analytical skills, with a background in algorithms and optimisation.
• You have knowledge of statistics, data modelling and data visualisation, as well as experience in software development with C++.
• Experience with storage technologies or data management is a bonus.
• Prior experience with tape storage systems and robotic libraries is not expected.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including mathematical modelling and optimisation are require.
• Experience in software development with C++ and Python is required.
• Experience with Linux operating system and command-line tools (e.g. bash shell, grep with regular expressions) is required.
• Knowledge of databases (SQL) is an advantage (training will be provided if necessary).
• Experience with version control systems (e.g. git) is an advantage (training will be provided if necessary).
• Experience with containers (e.g. Kubernetes) is an advantage (training will be provided if necessary).
• Knowledge of monitoring tools (e.g. Grafana, Prometheus) is an advantage (training will be provided if necessary).
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• You have a professional background in Mathematics or Computer Science (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:
30.08.2026 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:
Hybrid

Target start date: 01-November-2026

• Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job reference: IT-SD-TAB--GRAP

Field of work:
Software Engineering and IT

Benchmark job: 200020 - Computing Engineer

• A monthly stipend between  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.