Doctoral Student Programme 2026-3

What you'll do

You will spend up to 36 months working on your doctoral thesis in a truly unique environment where science, technology and innovation meet. You’ll be part of an international community of experts, gaining experience at the forefront of research and engineering.

Your responsibilities

· Carry out your doctoral research in collaboration with CERN and your home university.

· Contribute to ongoing projects in domains such as applied physics, computing, engineering or related technical fields.

· Present and document your work as part of your academic and research objectives.

· Learn from and work alongside world-class scientists, engineers and technicians within an international and multidisciplinary team.

Your profile

· Your field of study is in Applied Physics, Engineering, Computing, or a related area.

· You are motivated to develop your research in a hands-on, collaborative and innovative environment.

· You enjoy teamwork and learning from others in a collaborative setting.

Your skills

· Solid theoretical foundation in your research area, combined with an interest in practical applications.

· Curiosity, precision and a proactive attitude towards learning.

· Good communication skills and ability to work effectively in a multicultural team.

Application Deadline: 30/06/26 at 23:59 (Geneva time)

Employment Conditions:

• Ideal Start Date: 01/1/27
• Weekly Working Hours: 40
• Contract duration (in months): 12 to 36
• Job Flexibility: Fully Onsite

Global Benefits

• A monthly allowance of 3907 Swiss Francs (tax free).
• 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive Health Insurance scheme (the contribution will be automatically deducted from your allowance).
• Family supplement to subsistence allowance, depending on your individual circumstances.
• Travel expenses to Geneva upon joining CERN, depending on your individual circumstances.
• A contract duration for 12 months, renewable up to 3 years, with possibility to spread over a maximum duration of 4 consecutive years to allow you to spend time at the university.

Be sure to meet the eligibility criteria

• You are a national of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State.
• You have a good knowledge of English or French.
• Your university must support your participation in the programme. This means that your university should agree that the research you conduct at CERN will contribute to your PhD thesis. Additionally, your field of study should align with CERN’s research areas, including, but not limited to, physics, engineering, computing, and related applied sciences.
• You must be enrolled in a doctoral program in a relevant field such as physics, engineering, computer science, or a related discipline. You should have begun your doctoral studies at the time of application.

You will need these documents to complete your application

• Your CV (English or French)
• Any document you consider relevant to your application
• An academic reference letter (optional)
• An academic transcript (optional)

Overview of CERN - Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, we are pushing the frontiers of science and technology. Our groundbreaking work brings together not only physicists but also a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative fields. Together, we foster an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.

If you are ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive community pushing the boundaries of knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive. Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe! TAKE PART!

More information about us, here: careers.cern