Summer Studentship (CERN)

CERN Summer Student Programme

You get a paid research placement at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, lasting 8 to 13 weeks over the summer (roughly June to September). CERN is the European Organization for Nuclear Research, the world's largest particle-physics laboratory. It pays a daily allowance of about 100 EUR net per day (94 CHF), with the health-insurance contribution already deducted. On top of that you get cover under CERN's health insurance, help finding accommodation on or near the CERN site, and, depending on your situation, reimbursement of travel costs to and from Geneva. During the placement you work in a real research team on a scientific or technical project. You also attend physics and IT lectures given by CERN experts, tour the accelerators and experiments, and join workshops and a poster session.

Who can apply

• Degree level: You are studying for a Bachelor's or Master's degree. PhD students cannot apply.
• Study progress: By the start of the summer you have completed at least 6 semesters (3 years) of full-time university study.
• Field of study: Physics, engineering, computer science or mathematics.
• Enrolment: You stay enrolled as a full-time student at least until the placement begins. If you graduate during the summer (from May onwards), you can still apply.
• No prior CERN link: You have not worked at CERN for more than 3 months under any other status, and you have not done this Summer Student Programme before.
• Language: You have a good knowledge of English.
• Nationality: All nationalities are welcome. Students from Canada, Japan and the USA apply through their own country's portal instead.

How to apply

You apply online through the CERN careers portal. You need your CV (in English or French), an academic reference letter and your official transcripts. The deadline is the end of January each year (for example 26 January for the 2025 round). Selected candidates get an online interview with the hiring manager, and replies go out around late March or early April.

How realistic are your chances?

This well-known international programme draws strong applicants from across the world, so competition is real. The requirements narrow the field, though: you need three years of full-time study behind you in physics, engineering, computing or maths. If you fit that profile, have solid grades and a good reference letter, and apply before the late-January deadline, your prospects are decent.