At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter – fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on home.cern.
Diversity has been an integral part of CERN’s mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization.
Take part in CERN’s Doctoral Student Programme!
This is a chance to work on your thesis while spending up to 36 months at the forefront of science. Whether you’ve already chosen a subject or are still making your decision, if your specialism is Applied Physics, Engineering or Computing, this is an invitation to further your knowledge in a truly unique organisation. In fact, it’s an invitation to get involved in world-famous experiments of unprecedented scale and scope. An invitation to join an environment like nowhere else on Earth.
You will have the opportunity to work in a diversity of fields at the cutting edge of technology: applied physics, IT, mathematics, electricity, electronics, mechanical or civil engineering, instrumentation for accelerators and particle physics experiments, materials science, radiation protection, safety and environmental protection, science communication, surveying, ultra-high vacuum are but a few of the examples of the many domains in which successful applicants will learn and contribute their knowledge.
The following link provides few examples of doctoral student projects currently available Doctoral Student Programme projects | Careers at CERN. If any of these are of specific interest for you, please mention when completing your application on the “note to hiring manager” text field. Please note this is not mandatory nor a guarantee that these projects will be the ones for which you are selected: you may be selected on another project that matches your profile.
Note: students specialising in theoretical or experimental particle physics are not eligible to apply for this programme.
In order to qualify for a place on the programme you will need to meet the following requirements:
During your studies, CERN will provide you with:
Please note that the 3-year maximum contract duration shouldn’t be interpreted as an imposition of the time limit in which students are expected to complete their PhD.
Please also note that CERN cannot contribute to any cost related to your University nor will CERN reimburse tuition fees.
This is how you can apply:
Required documentation:
You will need a CV in English or in French in PDF format to complete your application (other supplementary documents, such as academic transcripts or reference letters are recommended).
Check out our dedicated pages for more information.
“Your application should reach us no later than March 3rd 2025 (at 23:59 CET).
Please note that your application may also be shared during the process with a panel of national experts for evaluation purposes. Ultimately, it will be reviewed by a panel of CERN experts between 3rd of March and beginning of May 2025. During this period, you could be contacted for a phone/video interview or additional information. The outcome of the recruitment process will be given no later than end of May 2025.
Please note that if a traineeship agreement is required by your institute (university), as an international organisation CERN will not sign external documents. You will therefore be required to use the CERN traineeship agreement provided upon request.
Level of Education: Bachelor Degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: No requirements