# Software Engineer (Python)
## About the Role
CERN’s Scientific Information Service, within the **OSI Department**, is seeking a **Software Engineer (Python)** to contribute to scientific information platforms including **INSPIRE, SCOAP³, CERN Analysis Preservation, and HEPData**, which are 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**. The role also provides an opportunity to bring **machine learning and emerging AI technologies** into production systems, including information extraction, classification, matching, recommendation, semantic search, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Large Language Models (LLMs), and Model Context Protocol (MCP). The focus is on practical production applications rather than fundamental machine-learning research.
## Key Responsibilities
- Develop, maintain, and operate scientific information applications using **Python and Django**.
- Build and maintain backend applications, APIs, data models, integrations, and data-processing workflows.
- Integrate machine learning and AI capabilities into production systems.
- Apply technologies including:
- Large Language Models (LLMs).
- Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
- Semantic search.
- Model Context Protocol (MCP).
- Evaluate emerging AI technologies and apply them to concrete scientific information use cases.
- Explore new ways of connecting scientific information platforms.
- Ensure software quality through automated testing, code reviews, monitoring, and continuous integration.
- Collaborate with software engineers, product owners, and information specialists on technical solutions and architecture.
- Contribute to platforms used by researchers and scientific communities worldwide.
## Required Qualifications
The source job description does not explicitly provide a formal list of mandatory qualifications or years of experience. Therefore, no additional degree, certification, years-of-experience, or technical requirements are added here.
The role explicitly requires capability in the areas central to the responsibilities, including **Python, Django, backend application development, APIs, integrations, data processing workflows, automated testing, code review, monitoring, and continuous integration**.
## Preferred Qualifications
The source job description does not explicitly identify separate preferred qualifications.
Experience or interest in the following areas is directly relevant to the role:
- Machine learning and AI integration.
- Large Language Models (LLMs).
- Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
- Semantic search.
- Information extraction.
- Classification and matching.
- Recommendation systems.
- Model Context Protocol (MCP).
- Production-oriented AI applications.
## Skills & Competencies
- **Python** development.
- **Django**.
- Backend software engineering.
- API development.
- Data modeling.
- Data integration.
- Data processing workflows.
- Machine learning integration.
- Generative AI and LLM applications.
- Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
- Semantic search.
- Information extraction and classification.
- Matching and recommendation systems.
- Model Context Protocol (MCP).
- Automated software testing.
- Code review.
- Monitoring.
- Continuous integration.
- Software architecture.
- Collaboration with software engineers, product owners, and information specialists.
- Applying emerging technologies to practical production use cases.
## Education & Experience
**Education**
- No specific educational qualification is stated in the source job description.
**Experience**
- No specific minimum years of experience are stated.
- Relevant experience developing backend applications with **Python and Django** is directly aligned with the role.
- Experience integrating AI or machine-learning capabilities into production systems is relevant to the role.
## Work Arrangement & Schedule
- **Work arrangement:** Onsite.
- **Location:** Geneva, Switzerland.
- **Employment type:** Not specified in the source job description.
- **Weekly hours:** Not specified.
- **Weekend requirements:** Not specified.
## Compensation & Benefits
- **Compensation:** EUR 120–180, as provided in the source listing. The source does not specify whether this figure is hourly, daily, monthly, or annual, so it has not been converted or reinterpreted.
- No additional benefits are specified in the provided job description.
## Compliance / Additional Information
The role is within **CERN’s Scientific Information Service, OSI Department**, supporting scientific information platforms used by researchers and scientific communities worldwide. The position emphasizes production software engineering and practical AI applications rather than fundamental machine-learning research.