Junior Distributed Storage Engineer (IT-SD-PDS-2026-246-GRAE)

Work with us to evolve the CERN data storage systems used at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

Join the CERN IT Storage and Data Management Group and work with us on services and technology which enables scientific progress at CERN!

You will be part of the EOS Storage Development and Operations team, delivering large-scale, reliable, high-performance storage services. Today, our infrastructure manages more than 1 Exabyte of disk storage and serves around 10 Exabytes of data annually to researchers and computing facilities worldwide.

In this role, you will have an opportunity to learn, contribute and gain experience in operations and evolution of innovative, open-source storage platform. You will also work closely with developers and service managers to improve automation, observability, reliability and performance of CERN's storage services.

Your responsibilities:

• Operate and maintain EOS large-scale distributed storage services supporting CERN's scientific programmes.
• Integrate, troubleshoot and optimise distributed storage systems at exabyte scale across software, hardware and network layers.
• Contribute to the development, testing, deployment and automation of EOS platform capabilities and operational tools.
• Liaise with users, developers, service managers and external collaborators to support the evolution of CERN storage services.

Your profile:

• Experience and good knowledge of Linux, networking and storage technologies.
• Interest in distributed storage systems, data management platforms and large-scale scientific computing.
• Interest in storage performance, scalability and reliability challenges.
• Understanding of concepts such as replication, fault tolerance, caching, scheduling and data consistency.

Skills:

• Software development and knowledge of modern programming languages (e.g. C++, Python, Git, CI/CD).
• Linux administration, troubleshooting and performance optimisation.
• Automation, configuration and operational tooling.
• Collaboration skills and working in diverse teams.
• Spoken and written English, with a commitment to learn French.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• By the application deadline, you have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation in Software Engineering (or a related field) and your highest educational qualification is either a Bachelor's or Master's degree.
• You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
• Applicants without University degree are not eligible.
• Applicants with a PhD are not eligible.

Job closing date: 06.11.2026 at 23:59 CET.

Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.

Working hours: 40 hours per week

Job flexibility: Fully Onsite

Target start date: 01-January-2027

This position involves:

• Stand-by duty, when required by the needs of the Organization.
• Work during nights, Sundays and official holidays, when required by the needs of the Organization.

Job reference: IT-SD-PDS-2026-246-GRAE

Field of work: Information Technologies

Benchmark job: 200020 - Computing Engineer

Global Benefits

• A monthly net stipend of either 5266 or 5793 Swiss Francs per month 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.

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!

More information about us, here:careers.cern