Research Assistant 2

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Hiring Unit:

Department of Physics

Position Summary:

• Contribute to the development of a new large-scale, custom-designed digital signal processing readout system for the ATLAS experiment located at the CERN laboratory in Switzerland.   
• Develop a prototype hardware implementation of different signal processing algorithms on FPGA, optimized to significantly improve the resolution of real-time energy measurements made by the ATLAS Liquid Argon Calorimeter system. 
• Use novel high-level synthesis approaches developed internally (based on functional programming abstractions), to optimize the implementation of machine learning models and other digital signal processing algorithms on a specific FPGA architecture to fit within the resources constraints of the future electronics readout system.  
• Collaborate closely with researchers at McGill (in both the Departments of Physics and in Computer and Electrical Engineering) and partners worldwide, leveraging industry-standard tools and technologies to ensure the quality and reliability of the developed prototype hardware implementation. 
• Oversee and assist with experiment development, data collection, laboratory work, and research documentation. 
• Recommend and implement improvements to existing methods of analysis or research. 
• Analyze and interpret research data, disseminating results, and contributing to research publications. 
• Ensure the quality and reliability of developed firmware and systems. 
• Provide technical guidance to team members, including undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians, at McGill and partner institutions. 

Qualifications:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
• Proven ability to contribute effectively within a collaborative research environment.
• Excellent organizational, analytical, and interpersonal abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to analyze research data and present findings clearly in different venues and meetings.  
• Self-motivated with a track record (or potential) of functioning as an independent firmware developer.  

Experience and education:

•
Master’s degree (or higher) in Electronics/Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Experimental Subatomic Physics, or related fields.

•
Relevant research experience in firmware programming (e.g. with VHDL) and resources optimization for specific FPGA architectures.

•
Additional research experience with high-level synthesis and/or compilation considered a plus. 

Before applying, please note that to work at McGill University, you must be both authorized to work in Canada and willing to work in the province of Quebec at the campus where the position is based / located.

McGill University is an English-language university where most teaching and research activities are conducted in the English language, thereby requiring English communication both verbally and in writing.

Hourly Salary:

$33.89

Hours per Week:

35 (Full time)

Location:

Rutherford Physics

Supervisor:

Professor

Position Start Date:

2026-03-26

Position End Date:

2027-04-12

Deadline to Apply:

2026-04-07

This position is covered by the Association of McGill University Research Employees (AMURE) collective agreement.

McGill University hires on the basis of merit and is strongly committed to equity and diversity within its community. We welcome applications from racialized persons/visible minorities, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, as well as from all qualified candidates with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. McGill implements an employment equity program and encourages members of designated groups to self-identify. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application process may contact, in confidence, [email protected].