Early Career Professionals - Technical Field – Spontaneous Applications

Apply for spontaneous projects if eligible and interested.

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CERN - European Organization for Nuclear Research

Open positions at CERN

Geneva (Switzerland)

Entry

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Overview

Apply for spontaneous projects if eligible and interested.

You have:

You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
You have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation by the application deadline.
Your highest educational qualification is a general secondary education diploma.
You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
Applicants with a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree are not eligible.
You should have a working knowledge of English or French.

Contract

This is a Entry Level contract. More about Entry Level contracts.

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Details

Job Description

Your responsibilities

Join us in a place that can be hotter than the centre of the sun, and colder than the vacuum of space, at the very same time. This is the smartest way to learn more than you can imagine and see your work travel at the speed of light. Almost. This is the fastest way to give your career momentum. This is your Origin. Where your career begins. Take part!

All our currently available projects are published individually on our career site here.****

If none of these opened projects match your profile and if you meet all eligibility criteria below, you can apply here spontaneously. Your profile may then be considered for unpublished projects or extra needs. Please note this is not mandatory nor a guarantee that you will be contacted by hiring managers for an interview.

Eligibility criteria:

You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
You have a maximum of two years of professional experience since graduation by the application deadline.
Your highest educational qualification is a general secondary education diploma.
You have never had a CERN fellow or graduate contract before.
Applicants with a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD degree are not eligible.

Qualifications

You should have a working knowledge of English or French.

Additional Information

Deadline June 30th 2026 at 23:59 CET
Job reference: ECP-Tech-2026/1
Contract duration: 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months maximum.
Documents required to complete your application:
- A CV;
- A scanned PDF of your most recent relevant qualification.

Global Benefits

A monthly stipend of 4687 Swiss Francs per month (tax free).
30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
Family, child and infant monthly allowances depending on your individual circumstances.
A relocation package (installation grant and travel expenses) depending on your individual circumstances.
Possibility to extend your contract up to 36 months.
On-the-job and formal training including language classes.

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

Apply now

Potential interview questions

Describe your experience collaborating in a diverse team.	We want to assess your ability to work within CERN's diverse environment.	Provide examples of teamwork and highlight how diversity contributed to the outcomes.
What motivates you to apply for a position at CERN?	We seek to understand your interest in our organization and mission.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Can you give an example of a challenging project you have worked on?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple deadlines?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
What have you learned from a failure you experienced in your career?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
How do you stay updated with advancements in your field?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Why is teamwork important in the scientific community?	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.
Explain a situation where you had to communicate complex information simply.	Pro members can see the explanation.	Pro members can see the explanation.