Doctoral Student Programme 2026-3
Work on your doctoral thesis in a unique environment at CERN.
Overview
Work on your doctoral thesis in a unique environment at CERN.
You have:
- 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.
- You must be enrolled in a doctoral program in a relevant field such as physics, engineering, computer science, or a related discipline.
- Your field of study should align with CERN's research areas, including physics, engineering, computing, and related applied sciences.
Contract
This is a Entry Level contract. More about Entry Level contracts.
Job Description
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.
Additional Information
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
Potential interview questions
| Can you describe your doctoral research and how it aligns with CERN's objectives? | This helps assess your understanding of the research context at CERN. | Discuss your research goals and how they can contribute to CERN's projects. |
| What motivates you to pursue your PhD in a collaborative environment? | The interviewer wants to gauge your teamwork values. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How do you approach learning new concepts in your field? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Describe an experience where you had to present complex information to a diverse audience. | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| How did you collaborate on a project involving multiple disciplines? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What practical applications have you explored in your research area? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| Can you give an example of how you have taken initiative in your studies? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
| What role does curiosity play in your research process? | Pro members can see the explanation. | Pro members can see the explanation. |
Added 2 months ago
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Updated 3 hours ago
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Source:
careers.cern
