Introduction

Are you a Versatile Software Engineer with excellent hardware knowledge, able to take an active role in the research and development efforts inside the CERN openlab? Join CERN and get involved in the exciting work that is performed together with leading industry partners world-wide. Take part!

You will join:

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  The Information Technology (IT) Department which provides computing services for all aspects of the laboratory’s activities. These require a wide range of technologies and skills including the provision of computing facilities, local and wide area networking, platforms for computing environments, software development, databases, desktop environments and a wide range of system integration and management tasks. IT collaborates closely with industry (through the CERN openlab) to develop advanced computing solutions and to enable IT technology transfer in both directions. More information on the Department is at: http://cern.ch/it-dep/.
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  The CF Group responsible for the Computing Facilities offered by the IT Department – in particular the LHC Tier0 Computing Centre. More information on the Group is at: http://cern.ch/it-dep/cf.
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  The Technology Competence Centre Section responsible for the direct collaboration with Intel inside openlab. More information on the activities of CERN openlab: http://cern.ch/openlab.

Functions

As a versatile software engineer you will master and manage the integration of (predominantly prototype) hardware and software inside the IT/CF/TCC openlab environment.

Your main activities will consist of:

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  Design and operate entire server systems.
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  Install, operate and commission the openlab cluster.
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  Install all the necessary software layers of the computing platforms.
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  Deliver performance characterization of the resulting platform.
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  Perform in-depth investigations in case of malfunctioning or sub-optimal performance of the given hardware/software components.
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  Monitor the hardware and software market.
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  Document and present scientific results through oral presentations, white papers, Web publishing, etc. (for audiences both inside and outside CERN).

Qualification required

University degree in computing or equivalent.

Experience and competencies

The experience required for this post is:

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  Demonstrated experience in installation and exploitation of complex computing clusters (both off-the-shelf and innovative solutions), including:

o 3 to 5 years' experience in the installation and management of (PC) server hardware.

o Proven experience with Scientific Linux, Red Hat (or equivalent) distributions and/or with the installation and configuration of system software, including experience with the Linux kernel, I/O drivers and compilers (including commercial ones).

o Significant experience with non-mainstream computing hardware, including many-core systems.

o Significant list of publications.

The technical competencies required for this post are:

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  System design: of complex servers; typically based on prototype (non-standard) hardware components).
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  System installation/decommissioning: covering the entire life-cycle of the openlab cluster hardware: planning, installation, exploitation and retirement. Exploitation typically implies performance characterization of the resulting platform: peak performance, performance per Watt, etc.
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  System software administration: Installation and maintenance of operating systems, compilers, monitoring packages, benchmark suites, etc.
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  Problem management: in-depth investigations in case of malfunctioning or sub-optimal performance from benchmarks -with a clear aim of solving the corresponding problem.
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  Emerging Technology Monitoring: (ability to propose new and innovative solutions for testing and evaluation and make them successful for production.
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  Science writing: write high-quality documents for publication (in scientific papers and on the Web).

The behavioural competencies required for this post are:

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  Achieving results: delivering high quality work on time and fulfils expectations.
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  Solving problems: open to original ideas and creative options by which to address issues; continually driving change by seeking new ways to improve outcomes.
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  Communicating effectively: expressing opinions, ideas and suggestions with conviction and in a logical/structured manner.
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  Building relationships: showing a sincere interest in the concerns and perspectives of others.
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  Working in Teams: contributing to promoting a positive atmosphere in the team through an optimistic and constructive attitude.

The language competencies required for this post are:

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  Spoken and written English: ability to draw-up technical specifications and scientific reports in English and to make oral presentations both in English and French.

Eligibility and closing date

Employing a diverse and international workforce is a CERN core value and central to our success. We welcome applications from all Member States irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion or personal situation. This vacancy will be filled as soon as possible, and applications should normally reach us no later than 23 February 2012. 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.

Note on Employment Conditions

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  We offer a limited-duration contract for a period of 2 years. Limited-duration contracts shall terminate by default on their date of expiry. Subject to certain conditions, holders of limited-duration contracts may be granted an indefinite contract.
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  These functions may require work outside normal working hours including nights, Sundays and public holidays.

Quick links:

Employment Conditions

Compensation and Benefits