Digital ASIC Designer

Digital ASIC Designer

Geneva, Switzerland EP-ESE-ME-2026-134-GRAP Ideal start date: 01/01/2027

Before 03/11/2026 at 23:59 (Geneva Time)

What you'll do

Join CERN’s EP-ESE-ME section in the development of a radiation-tolerant microcontroller ASIC for use in future particle physics detectors and accelerator systems. Operating in highly challenging radiation environments, these systems require robust and reliable embedded electronics.

The project is based on an open-source RISC-V processing core and the CERN SOCRATES (System-On-Chip Radiation-Tolerant Ecosystem) framework for fault-tolerant SoC design. The successful candidate will contribute to the full development cycle, from requirements definition and system architecture to implementation, verification, and post-silicon validation.

Please provide at least 1 reference letter to support your application.

Your responsibilities

• Analyse application requirements across CERN's accelerator complex and particle physics detector systems to define technical specifications for the microcontroller ASIC.
• Contribute to the architecture, design, and validation of a radiation-tolerant microcontroller ASIC implemented in 65 nm or 28 nm CMOS technology.
• Support the definition of the SoC architecture, including the selection and configuration of an appropriate RISC-V processing core.
• Design, integrate, and validate peripheral IP blocks within the CERN SOCRATES framework.
• Apply fault-tolerant design methodologies, including triple modular redundancy (TMR) and single-event upset (SEU) mitigation techniques.
• Participate in design verification activities and physical implementation, from RTL development through to tapeout.
• Contribute to post-silicon testing, characterisation, and validation following chip fabrication.

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Your profile

• Strong understanding of digital logic design.
• Solid experience with digital IC design and RTL development (Verilog/SystemVerilog).
• Familiarity with standard ASIC design flows (synthesis, place and route, timing closure).
• Knowledge of RISC-V architecture and its ecosystem.
• Experience with microcontroller-based embedded systems development, including firmware programming in C and peripheral interfacing.
• Your studies focused on Electronics Engineer.

Your skills

• RTL design and simulation (Verilog / SystemVerilog).
• Familiarity with the digital ASIC design flow, including synthesis, place-and-route, timing closure, and sign-off activities.
• Knowledge of fault-tolerant design techniques and radiation effects in CMOS circuits is an asset.
• Microcontroller embedded systems development (firmware in C, peripheral interfacing, bare-metal programming).
• Scripting and automation (Python or equivalent).
• Linux/Unix working environment.
• Curiosity and willingness to learn in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Ability to work independently as well as within a team.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Ideal start date: 01/01/2027

Contract duration (in months): 24

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Global Benefits at CERN

• A monthly net stipend of either 6372 or 7004 Swiss Francs per month depending on your degree and years of post-graduation experience.
• 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.

Let's get you ready

Be sure to meet the eligibility criteria

• You are a national of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State. Currently, we cannot consider applications from Pakistani, Lithuanian, Latvian, Cypriot, Croatian and Turkish nationals, as the ceiling defined under Article II.5 of the Associate Membership Agreement has been reached.
• By the application deadline, you have a master’s degree with 2 to 6 years of professional experience since graduation or a PhD with a maximum of 3 years of professional experience since graduation. You are not eligible with only a bachelor’s degree.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Please pay attention to the additional criteria and requirements for this specific position and mentioned above.

You will need these documents to complete your application

• Your CV (English or French)
• A copy of your most relevant diploma or a certificate of achievement from your school (if you don't yet have your paper diploma)
• Any document you consider relevant to your application

Your CERNDepartment

The EP department conducts research in experimental particle physics in close collaboration with and supporting the wider scientific community working at CERN. This includes designing and operating experiments, developing and constructing detectors, acquiring and analysing physics data.

Overview of CERN

Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

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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!

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Still have a doubt ? Here are the most frequently asked questions

• What should I expect during my first week at CERN? Your onboarding at CERN includes a comprehensive induction programme, which starts with an official welcome session at the beginning of each month. In addition, you will receive important information both before and after your arrival to ensure a smooth transition into your new role. This process is designed to help you get acquainted with CERN’s environment, your team, and the tools and systems you’ll be using.
• How big would the team be? The size of the team you'll be working with at CERN depends on the specific role and department. Some teams are small and highly specialized, while others are larger and more interdisciplinary. During the interview process, you'll have the opportunity to learn more about the team structure for the position you are applying for.
• What is the working language at CERN? The working languages at CERN are English and French. However, it is not always mandatory to speak both languages to work at CERN. We offer language training to help you acquiring the other language.
• What support does CERN provide for relocation? CERN does not offer direct assistance with relocation. However, depending on your role and specific criteria, you may be eligible for certain benefits such as an installation allowance and coverage of travel expenses to join CERN. These benefits are designed to help ease the transition when relocating to the Geneva area. For more information, please consult the “Salary, Benefits and Support“ page.
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