Software Engineer for CERNBox (IT-SD-GSS-2026-174-GRAP)

Job Description

This is a graduate position within the QUEST programme, funded by the EOSC4ALL project of the European Commission. It is open to recent graduates in computer science, engineering or a related field. You do not need to tick every box or have every skill listed below, if you are motivated to learn, we encourage you to apply.

Join CERN's Storage and Data Management Group and help evolve the storage systems behind the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), while learning large-scale storage, cloud-native technologies and open-source software with the support of an experienced team.

You will work on CERNBox, the cloud storage used by the whole CERN community, from scientists to administrative staff. Your main task is to help make it interoperable with research infrastructures across Europe, through the Open Cloud Mesh (OCM) standard, and easy to deploy anywhere using Kubernetes. You will also explore how AI can help users find and use their data.

If you enjoy open standards, open source and building tools that many institutions can adopt, this is the place for you! You will be supported by experienced colleagues and learn from the whole team.

Your responsibilities

• Develop and integrate backend and frontend software components.
• Package and deploy interoperable services in distributed environments.
• Support CERN community: you will join our operations team, troubleshooting incidents and supporting users.
• Contribute your code, features and fixes back to the CERNBox open-source projects, working alongside a broader open-source community.
• Work with partner institutions and research infrastructures across Europe to test, validate and refine these tools together.
• Support users and partner teams as they adopt these tools, helping with troubleshooting and guidance.
• Explore and prototype AI/ML capabilities for CERNBox, working with users to identify practical use cases. Prior AI/ML experience is welcome but not required.

Your profile

• Experience with backend development in Go, and an interest in full-stack development.
• Comfortable working in Linux environments and troubleshooting software and systems.
• Familiarity with frontend development, ideally using JavaScript/TypeScript and Vue.js.
• Software development experience from studies, projects, internships or open-source contributions, with a willingness to take ownership of features and to collaborate with others.
• Ability to collaborate with users, technical teams and external partners.
• Interest in open-source software, distributed systems and interoperability.

Skills

• Backend: Go and API development.
• Frontend: Modern frameworks such as Vue.js or similar technologies.
• Systems: Linux, troubleshooting and software integration.
• Cloud-native technologies: Containers, Docker, Kubernetes, Helm and CI/CD pipelines are an advantage.
• Collaboration: Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• 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 Computing Engineer (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: 29.11.2026 at 23:59 CET.

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-February-2027

This position involves:

• 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-GSS-2026-174-GRAP

Field of work: Information Technologies

Benchmark job: 200020 - Computing Engineer

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.

Overview of CERN - Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

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. Together, we foster an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.

If you are ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive community pushing the boundaries of knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive. Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe! TAKE PART!

More information about us, here: careers.cern