Post Career Break Fellowship

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 http://home.cern.

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization.

Welcome to the Post Career Break Fellowship Programme

Have you taken time out for personal reasons from your career in science or engineering? Would you be interested in returning to a scientific career if you could?



CERN has launched a programme to offer full-time or part-time fellowships to science and engineering graduates looking for a way back into science. This is an outstanding chance for you to update your knowledge and skills working for up to three years in an international environment at the forefront of research.



Please note that you are applying for a programme and not for a specific job. In order to help us offer you an interesting work project, for those of you in fields other than particle physics we recommend that you let us know how your research interests and skills relate to CERN’s diverse activities. You can include this during the online application process form or in a separate motivation letter.

In order to qualify for a place on the programme you will need to meet the following requirements:

• You have been on a career break for personal reasons (for example for family or caring responsibilities, health issues) for at least two years. Please note that periods of unemployment or a change in field from your studies or in the direction of your career are not considered a “career break” within the spirit of our programme.
• You have a Experienced Graduate profile, for nationals of Member or Associate Member States with a MSc degree and between 2 and 6 years’ experience or PhD with up to three years of relevant experience. If you are applying in the fields of experimental or theoretical physics, you must have a "Research Fellowship" profile, holding a PhD and up to six years’ experience in the field after obtaining their PhD.
• Please note that candidates who are registered as CERN Users may be asked to justify how their status relates to their application.
• CERN Staff members are not eligible to apply.

What we offer: 

• An employment contract of in principle 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months;
• On-the-job and formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French;
• A monthly stipend ranging between 6287 and 6911 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax);
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund;
• Depending on your individual circumstances: installation grant; family, child and infant allowances; payment of travel expenses at the beginning and end of contract;
• 30 days of paid leave per year.

How to apply:

You will need the following documents to complete your application:

• A CV;
• A letter covering your experience and career break and how your research interests and skills relate to CERN’s diverse activities.
• A scanned PDF of your most recent relevant qualification;

The earliest expected start date for selected candidates is 1st January 2026.

Ready to take part? Then please submit your application by September 7th at midnight (12.00 AM CEST).