Data Scientist

What you'll do

Do you want to apply your Data Science and AI expertise to one of the world’s most complex scientific and engineering environments?

Join CERN and take a leading role in developing an AI driven prescriptive maintenance and operational assistance platform for the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). In this position, you will drive the full lifecycle of an innovative AI solution designed to improve the reliability and performance of accelerator systems. Your work will span requirements gathering, data preparation, model development and lifecycle management, integration of safety considerations, creation of AI-assisted diagnostics tools, and the implementation of robust data and API pipelines.

You will develop a proof of concept using LHC Run 3 data, then lead testing and validation on representative systems within the TE Department, with the goal of achieving full deployment for Run 4. Your contribution will enable CERN to harness advanced AI methods to reduce unplanned downtime, strengthen operational resilience, and support data-driven decision making across critical accelerator infrastructure.

Your responsibilities

Collect and formalise operational use cases and user stories with engineers and maintenance experts; translate them into functional and technical specifications.
Define system requirements and draft solution architecture for an AI-driven prescriptive maintenance platform.
Design and implement scalable data pipelines for ingesting and processing operational data (e.g. time series, logs, equipment metadata, technical documentation) using distributed processing frameworks.
Perform data pre-processing, feature engineering, and exploratory analysis to prepare datasets for modelling.
Design and execute machine learning experiments for anomaly detection, failure prediction, and prescriptive recommendations.
Implement experiment tracking, model validation, and reproducibility practices using ML lifecycle management tools (e.g. MLflow or similar).
Package and deploy models into production environments through APIs and containerised services (e.g. Podman), supporting orchestration platforms such as Kubernetes.
Contribute to system integration, testing, performance monitoring, and iterative improvement of deployed models.
Produce clear technical documentation, specifications, and user-oriented material to ensure maintainability and knowledge transfer.

Still here? Let's make a quick check about

Your profile

Experience working on applied machine learning or data-driven projects addressing real-world operational or engineering problems.
Experience with version control systems (e.g. Git) and collaborative development workflows.
Your studies focused on Data Science, Computer Science, Mathematics or a related field.

Your skills

Proficiency in Python for data analysis and machine learning (e.g. NumPy, pandas, scikit-learn, PyTorch or similar frameworks).
Understanding of machine learning techniques relevant to time series analysis, anomaly detection, and predictive modelling.
Knowledge of data pre-processing, feature engineering, and exploratory data analysis (EDA).
Familiarity with distributed data processing tools (e.g. Apache Spark) or similar big data frameworks.
Good knowledge of experiment tracking and ML lifecycle management tools (e.g. MLflow or equivalent).
Understanding of REST APIs and model serving concepts.
Familiarity with containerisation technologies (e.g. Podman) and basic concepts of orchestration platforms (e.g. Kubernetes).
Ability to write structured technical documentation and maintain reproducible code.
Ability to structure complex, ambiguous problems into well-defined analytical approaches.
Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Ideal start date: 01/06/2026

Contract duration (in months): 24

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Team supervision

Global Benefits at CERN

A monthly stipend between 6372-7004 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.

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 and Lithuanian nationals for positions with a 2026 start date, 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 TE department specializes in maintaining world-class expertise in accelerator technologies, supporting R&D, and managing technical facilities to advance CERN's technological capabilities.

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!

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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.
Do I need a visa to work at CERN?

Whether you need a visa to work at CERN depends on your nationality and the duration of your stay. CERN assists with the necessary visa and work permit processes for its employees and visitors. The specific requirements will be communicated to you during the recruitment process.
What would my salary be?

Salaries at CERN are determined by a structured scale. Salaries are based on your role, qualifications, and experience, and are not subject to negotiation. Specific details will be provided as your application progresses. For more information, please refer to the dedicated page.