Software Engineer (Python) - Switzerland

Join CERN's Scientific Information Service, as part of the OSI Department, and contribute to the development of platforms such as INSPIRE, SCOAP, CERN Analysis Preservation and HEPData, used by researchers and scientific communities worldwide. You will design, develop, and operate backend applications, APIs, integrations, and data processing workflows, working primarily with Python and Django.

You will also help bring machine learning and emerging AI capabilities to these platforms, including information extraction, classification, matching, recommendation, semantic search, RAG, and LLM-based applications. You will explore new ways of connecting scientific information platforms, including technologies such as the Model Context Protocol, with a focus on production systems rather than fundamental ML research.

Your responsibilities:
- Develop, maintain, and operate scientific information applications using Python and Django, including APIs, data models, integrations, and data processing workflows.
- Integrate machine learning and AI capabilities into production systems, using technologies such as Large Language Models, retrieval-augmented generation, semantic search, and the Model Context Protocol.
- Evaluate emerging AI technologies and apply them to concrete scientific information use cases.
- Ensure software quality through automated testing, code review, monitoring, and continuous integration.
- Collaborate with software engineers, product owners, and information specialists on technical solutions and architecture.

Qualifications:
Master's degree or equivalent relevant experience in the field of Computer Science or a related field.

Your profile:
- Strong professional experience in Python and software engineering, including backend development with Django or a comparable Python framework, API design, relational databases, and maintainable production software.
- Experience with data-intensive applications or data processing workflows.
- Good understanding of modern Large Language Model technologies and their integration into software systems.
- Experience with Apache Airflow, React and TypeScript, OpenSearch or Elasticsearch would be an asset.
- Experience with LLM applications, retrieval-augmented generation, embeddings, semantic search, Model Context Protocol, tool calling, or AI agent integrations would also be an asset.

Your skills:
- Development of application software, design, development and maintenance of production software applications, APIs and data processing workflows using Python and Django.
- Knowledge of programming techniques and languages, strong knowledge of Python, software engineering principles, API development, relational databases and modern development practices.
- Architecture and design of ICT systems, designing maintainable and scalable software architectures, integrations and data intensive applications.
- Testing, diagnosing and optimisation of software, applying automated testing, monitoring, debugging, performance analysis, and continuous integration to ensure software quality and reliability.
- Delivers high quality work on time and fulfilling expectations.
- Identifies, defines and assesses problems, takes action to address them.
- Keeps up-to-date with developments in own field of expertise and readily absorbs new information.
- Supports and acts in accordance with team decisions; accepts joint responsibility for team successes and shortcomings.
- Demonstrates a pro-active approach to resolving differences; addresses issues of conflict constructively.

Language skills:
- Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Ideal start date: 01/01/2027
Contract duration (in months): 60
Grade range: 6
Benchmark job: 200020 - Computing Engineer
Job flexibility: Hybrid

For more information about the position and application process, please visit: https://careers.cern/jobs/other-software-engineer-python/