Linux System Administrator

CERN

Company Description

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on http://home.cern.

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization.

Are you a mechanical technician looking for a professional experience to further your career?  If so, joining CERN’s TTE programme could be the perfect opportunity.  

 

Job Description

Does the idea of developing the mission-critical computing infrastructure to support LHC physics at CERN, the largest particle physics laboratory in the world, and providing operational support, excite you? Become involved in the operation of the online computing infrastructure of a CERN physics experiment. Take part!

You will join:

  • Experimental Physics Department (EP), which carries out basic research in the field of experimental physics. It aims to provide a stimulating scientific atmosphere and remains an important reference centre for the European physics community. It contributes to the education and training of young scientists and engineers.
  • The ALICE Physics & Computing Group (AIP) and be part of the team ensuring the operation and maintenance of the ALICE Computing infrastructure, supporting the LHC data-taking activities as well as data processing (ALICE O2 projects).

You will become part of the ALICE O2 activites, in particular in the following areas:

  • Maintenance and evolution of the Linux-based sys-admin tool chain (cli-tools, scripting, etc.) for ALICE O2 data processing;
  • Automation of software deployment and computing infrastructure configuration;
  • Extension the Monitoring and Alarm system for the O2 computing infrastructure;
  • Contribution to the planning and the execution of the operation, notably Incident Response, Request Fulfillment and Change Management
  • Support of the computing operations in conjunction with other ALICE groups and CERN IT engineers

Your main activities will include:

  • Improvements and extensions of the O2 Computing Infrastructure
  • Providing support to ALICE data taking and data processing

 

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a place on the programme you will need to meet the following requirements:

  • You are a national of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State (https://home.cern/about/member-states);
  • You have a Technical Diploma or equivalent (careers.cern/ttediplomas), and no more than 4 years' relevant experience after finishing your diploma;
  • If you are currently studying, you are still eligible to apply, although you are expected to have obtained your qualification by the start of your appointment at CERN;
  • If you hold a BSc or MSc, you are not eligible. However you may be eligible for the Fellowship Programme.
  • You should have at least a working knowledge of English or French

Specific requirements for this job:

  • Basic previous experience with Linux, Bash, Python and version control systems (e.g. Git);
  • Knowledge of any of the following would be useful but is not mandatory: Ansible, Openstack, Docker, Kubernetes, Grafana, C/C++, SQL;
  • Ability to work effectively in a multi-cultural team environment;
  • Ability to provide support to end users;
  • Ability to communicate clearly and write technical notes.

This list is indicative: we expect the candidate to be willing to learn necessary tools and techniques quickly with possible training on the job or provided by CERN.

Training Value 

The successful candidate will become part of the operations and support team of the O2 infrastructure. Key training experience will be:

  • Be part of an international collaboration, supporting scientists and engineers at the forefront of scientific research
  • Be involved in the various areas of computing operations to provide high-availability services for the ALICE experiment
  • Be involved in the evolution of the present system, most notably in the areas of automation and monitoring

 

Additional Information

CERN would very much like to benefit from your expertise, commitment and passion. In return, CERN will provide you with:

  • An employment contract of one year, renewable for a second year; 
  • On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French;
  • A monthly stipend of 4599 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax);
  • Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund;
  • Depending on your individual circumstances: an installation grant, family, child and infant allowances as well as travel expenses to and from Geneva;
  • 2,5 days of paid leave per month.

Required documentation

You will need the following documents to complete your application:

  • A CV;
  • A scanned copy of your latest relevant qualification;
  • One reference letter (from a professor or previous employer) giving an overview of your academic and/or professional achievements. This should be as broad as possible. You may upload the reference letter yourself, whilst submitting your application, or through your referee via the link you will receive shortly after submitting your application.

All applications should normally reach us no later than 31.05.2022.

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