CERN - CERN Fellowship Programme

What you get

You will be working as a postdoctoral researcher at CERN, the European particle physics laboratory near Geneva in Switzerland. You will receive a monthly net stipend (living allowance) of about 7,004 to 7,425 CHF, roughly 6,584 EUR. The exact amount depends on your degree and on how many years you have spent working in research since completing your PhD. The contract runs from 6 to 24 months and can be extended to up to 36 months.

As well as the money you receive:

• 30 days’ paid holiday per year, plus a two-week annual company closure
• Comprehensive health insurance for you, your partner and your children
• Membership of the CERN Pension Fund
• Family and child benefits, where applicable
• A relocation package that covers your travel and furnishing costs
• Practical and formal training courses, including English and French courses

Who can apply

• Degree: You have already obtained a PhD or will complete your PhD within six months of the application deadline.
• Field: You have a PhD in physics or engineering. This includes experimental and theoretical particle physics, applied physics, and engineering disciplines such as electronics, electrical engineering, materials science and information technology.
• Research experience: In the field of physics, you must have between your PhD and 6 years of research experience. In the fields of engineering and applied sciences, the upper limit is 3 years; in exceptional cases, this may be extended to 6 years.
• Nationality: You are a national of a CERN Member State or an Associated Member State. A separate procedure applies to certain non-Member States in the field of theoretical physics.
• No prior CERN contract: You have never held a CERN scholarship or graduate contract and are not currently a CERN employee.
• Language: You speak English or French well.

How to apply

You can apply online via CERN’s careers portal. Each field has its own job advertisement and application deadline: Experimental Physics, Theoretical Physics, Applied Sciences and Engineering. Please apply for the field that best matches your background. Upload your CV, a copy of your degree certificate and three recent letters of recommendation. If you are shortlisted, you will have an online interview with the HR manager before a potential job offer is made.

How realistic are your chances?

This fellowship (a fixed-term, paid research post) attracts high-calibre postdoctoral researchers from across Europe to one of the world’s leading centres for physics – it is therefore extremely competitive, and a strong research record is of crucial importance. The field of specialisation is also narrowly defined: You must hold a PhD in physics or a relevant engineering discipline and meet the requirements regarding professional experience. If your work aligns with CERN’s experimental or theoretical programmes and you apply for the correct research branch, well-suited candidates have strong prospects.