CERN Accelerating science

CERN builds and operates a variety of interconnected particle accelerators, including the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Charged particles are guided using magnetic fields and the powering of the magnets is a key element in the operation of the accelerators.

The Converter Control Software (CCS) section of the Electrical Power Converter (EPC) group is responsible for the development and operation of the software used to control the power converters that drive current in the magnets. In total, the group is responsible for more than 5000 power converters.

Operators in the CERN Control Center (CCC) use a set of software applications to control and monitor the power converters. These applications communicate with the software running in the control platforms using an infrastructure composed of different elements, including middleware, databases, timing systems and fieldbuses.

In our section we distinguish between three different domains. Each domain is represented by a team which consists of a team leader and team members that work in the respective domain.

Converter Control

Raul Murillo

Industrial Controls

Jose M. De Paco Soto

Tools & Services

Kevin Kessler

Current opportunities

We are currently hiring for the following programmes at CERN. Please click below for more information about the programmes, the positions and how to apply.

CERN Short Term Internships

• ⏱️ 2 months duration. Up to 6 months possible.
• 💰 1577 CHF monthly allowance (net)
• 📍 Geneva, Switzerland
• 🎓 You are a full-time student (Bachelor or Master)
• 🤓 You are of age 18 and above

• ℹ️ More info about the Short Term Internship programme at CERN

Summer Internship Opportunities at the Converter Controls Software section (SY-EPC-CCS)

Front-End Web Developer Summer Intern

Are you passionate about Front-End Web Development? Do you like working with state-of-the-art software technologies in a containerized software environment? Are you motivated to ensure the functionality and quality of our front-end components / library? Then join the SY-EPC-CCS Tools Team!

Project: You would primarily focus on creating Storybook stories for the Vue 3 components of our front-end library, which are shared and re-used across several of our tools. Furthermore, you would be responsible for writing comprehensive tests such as unit tests and end-to-end tests for those components using cypress and vitest. Additionally, you would have the opportunity to contribute to CI/CD workflows and pipelines, automating processes like deploying Storybook and testing workflows.

How to apply:

1. Apply to the Short Term Internship Progamme here. AND
2. Contact sy-epc-ccs-team-tools@cern.ch to state your interest in this particular position before 8th April 2024.

Python Developer Summer Intern

Are you up for a challenge? Are you motivated by having a real impact at CERN? Then join the SY-EPC-CCS Industrial Controls Team where you can enhance and utilize your python skills to develop a software tool, that will impact how we commission our control systems!

Project: You would be the main developer of a commissioning test tool using python. The tool would be a "hub" for running pytest scripts in a production environment. You would get the opportunity to propose solutions/ideas and help shape the final design of the tool. See the job description PDF for further information.

How to apply:

1. Apply to the Short Term Internship Progamme here. AND
2. Contact sy-epc-ccs-team-ics@cern.ch to state your interest in this particular position before 8th April 2024.

CERN Technical Student Programme

• ⏱️ 4 to 14 months duration
• 💰 3407 CHF monthly allowance (net)
• 📍 Geneva, Switzerland
• 🏠 2/5 days remote work possible
• 🌍 You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State
• 🎓 You are a full-time student (Bachelor or Master)
• 📚 You completed at least 18 months of your undergraduate studies at the time of the committee

• ℹ️ More info about the Technical Student programme at CERN

Technical Student Opportunities at the Converter Controls Software section (SY-EPC-CCS)

DevOps Engineer (Technical Student)

Are you passionate about Front-End Web Development? Do you like working with state-of-the-art software technologies in a containerized software environment? Are you motivated to ensure the functionality and quality of our front-end components / library? Then join the SY-EPC-CCS Tools Team!

Project: The candidate will work as DevOps engineer on the containerization of the EPC group’s web applications and software services which aims to improve their maintainability and reliability.
In more detail, the candidate will work on

• Kubernetes deployments (including Helm charts)
• Continuous deployment pipelines
• Secrets management
• Monitoring tools

Furthermore, the candidate will have the opportunity to actively contribute to the development of the group’s web applications and software services.

How to apply:

1. Apply to the Technical Student Progamme here. Choose "IT, Mathematics & Robotics" or "Electrical / Electronics Engineering" depending on your background. AND
2. Contact sy-epc-ccs-team-tools@cern.ch to state your interest in this particular position.

• Application deadline: 11th March 2024
• Selection committee: 6th June 2024