Electronics Engineer or Applied Physicist (ASIC design)

Are you interested in crossing the boundary between high tech electronics and particle physics? Are you specialized in microelectronics design? If applied electronics is your passion, and if you are looking to work in a dynamic international environment, don't hesitate. CERN, take part!
    

Electronics Engineer or Applied Physicist (ASIC design) in the Experimental Physics Department (EP), Electronic Systems for Experiments group (ESE), Microelectronics section (ME).

You will join the Electronic Systems for Experiments Group (ESE) of the Experimental Physics Department (EP), which designs electronic systems, including ASICs, for the experiments at CERN and also supplies a series of electronics related services.

The Microelectronics section (ME) develops analogue and digital integrated circuits for the readout and control of the CERN experiments. One of the supported experiments is ATLAS and in particular the inner tracker (ITK), where the CERN team has the responsibility of developing the readout electronics of the silicon strip modules for the detector upgrades for the High Luminosity LHC operation.

As an electronics engineer, you will work on developing Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) particle detectors and in a first step for the Silicon Strip sensors readout for the ATLAS tracker detector upgrades for the High Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC). In particular, your work will require:

• The finalisation of the development of a silicon strip sensor readout ASIC for the Silicon Strip modules of the ATLAS ITK; namely the ABCstar ASIC.
• The implementation on silicon of the ABCstar ASIC using a 130nm CMOS technology using a digital-on-top design methodology.
• Study the radiation effects of the selected technology and employ radiation tolerant design techniques to mitigate the performance degradation effects due to radiation up to the levels required for operation of the ATLAS ITK at HL-LHC.
• Employ low power digital design techniques and make system architectural choices to meet the strict requirements in power consumption.
• Work with the physicist teams to deduce comprehensive ASIC design specifications and perform verifications using physics simulation events throughout the various design phases.
• Collaboration with the other team members working on other design IP-blocks or other ASICs connected to the ABCstar.
• Use of advanced EDA tools in microelectronic design for digital and mixed-signal simulations, design implementation (Place & Route design flow), functional verifications, physical verifications, etc.
• Silicon prototyping submissions.
• Preparation of test benches for the prototypes to perform functional tests and performance characterizations in tests beams as well as radiation tolerance evaluations for Total Ionizing Dose (TID) and Single Event Upset (SEU) effects.
• Work with the system level design team to assure compatibility of the ABCstar at the system level.

Master's degree or PhD or equivalent relevant experience in the field of electronics engineering with specialization in microelectronics design, or equivalent.

The experience required for this post is:

• Demonstrated experience in the fields of design and development of microelectronics circuits.
• Experience in circuit design in modern CMOS process and in particular on low power, high speed ASIC design.
• Extensive experience with the use of EDA tools for mixed mode microelectronics design: analogue simulation, compact layout, extraction and re-simulation, HDL simulation and synthesis for digital circuitry.
• Deep knowledge of modern back-end tools as well as RTL programming.

Experience on the following fields will also be valued:

• Experience on the design of analogue and mixed-mode circuits of high energy physics experiments.
• Radiation effects on CMOS processes.

The technical competencies required for this post are:

• Digital microelectronic circuit design: including modelling and simulation.
• Digital circuit testing and measurement techniques: familiarity in designing fpga based test benches for asic prototypes.
• Application of high level electronic system description languages, techniques and tools.

The behavioural competencies required for this post are:

• Working in teams: understanding when teamwork is required to achieve the best results; including others accordingly and sharing information.
• Achieving results: having a structured and organised approach towards work; being able to set priorities and plan tasks with results in mind.
• Demonstrating flexibility: adapting quickly and resourcefully to shifting priorities and requirements.
• Communicating effectively: checking to ensure that the message has been well understood; ensuring that information, procedures and decisions are appropriately documented.
• Learning and sharing knowledge: sharing knowledge and expertise freely and willingly with others; coaching others to ensure knowledge transfer.

The language competencies required are:

• English: spoken and written with the ability to draw up technical texts. The ability to understand and speak French in professional contexts would be an advantage.

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.

We welcome applications from all Member States and Associate Member States.

This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than 07.01.2018.

By applying here, you allow CERN to consider your application for any position it considers relevant with respect to your profile. Please ensure you update your profile regularly with any relevant information and that you inform the recruitment service if you wish your file to be removed from the database.

We offer a limited-duration contract for a period of 5 years. Limited-duration contracts shall terminate by default on their date of expiry.
Subject to certain conditions, holders of limited-duration contracts may apply for an indefinite position.

These functions require:

• Work in Radiation Areas.
• Interventions in underground installations.
• Valid driving licence.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Read more about employment conditions