Data acquisition system engineer (M/F)

Job Description

Missions

We are looking for a proactive engineer with strong problem-solving skills, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to independently learn and apply new technologies towards ambitious scientific goals. The successful candidate will design and deploy at astronomical observatories the complete data acquisition chain for state-of-the-art single-photon detectors, from timing electronics and synchronization to high-throughput software pipelines. The systems will be developed and operated in close collaboration with physicists and engineers at astronomical telescopes, in cutting-edge research in astrophysics.

Activity

- Design, develop and characterize high-performance data acquisition (DAQ) systems for single-photon detectors.
- Design and implement scalable data management solutions for the acquisition, storage, indexing, and retrieval of experimental datasets, handling sustained data rates of several terabytes per day.
- Implementation of networking solutions for high-throughput, low-latency data transfer.
- Develop precise timing and synchronization systems for distributed DAQ architectures, including clock distribution and timestamping with picosecond-level precision.
- Design and implement high-performance data processing and analysis pipelines in C++, developing computationally efficient algorithms for both real-time and offline data analysis.
- Develop software tools for monitoring, control, diagnostics, and performance evaluation of DAQ systems deployed at astronomical observatories, ensuring reliable operation during scientific observations.
- Participation in the deployment, commissioning, and operation of instruments at telescope sites (Hawaii, Chile).

Your Profil

Skills

Required:
- MSc in Physics, Electronics, Computer Engineering or related fields.
- Mastery in C++ and Python programming.
- Experience with Linux and computer networks.
- Strong oral and written communication skills in English.

Preferred qualifications. Assets, but not required:
- Experience with electronic instrumentation and precision measurements.
- Time synchronization and clock distribution.
- CERN/ROOT data analysis framework.
- Optical instrumentation and Single-photon detectors.
- FPGA programming and implementation.

Your Work Environment

- On-site position based at Nice, France.
- Exciting environment: cutting-edge instrumentation for state-of-the-art scientific objectives.
- Opportunity to publish and conference travel.
- One-year contract with possibility of renewal upon mutual agreement.

Compensation and benefits

Compensation

2521 à 3743 euros brut depending on experience

Annual leave and RTT

44 jours

Remote Working practice and compensation

Pratique et indemnisation du TT

Transport

Prise en charge à 75% du coût et forfait mobilité durable jusqu’à 300€

About the offer

About the CNRS

The CNRS is a major player in fundamental research on a global scale. The CNRS is the only French organization active in all scientific fields. Its unique position as a multi-specialist allows it to bring together different disciplines to address the most important challenges of the contemporary world, in connection with the actors of change.

CNRS

The research professions