Doctoral Student Programme

Deadline to submit applications: 
16-APR-2018 (23:59 CET). Selection Committee 05-JUN-2018

This is a chance to work on your thesis while spending 6 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 organization. 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.

Disciplines represented: Applied physics, IT, mathematics, electrical, electronic, 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.

Students specialising in theoretical or experimental particle physics are not eligible to apply for this programme.

Examples of PhD thesis (the list is not exhaustive).

Link for CERN supervisors to submit a PhD proposal.
 

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN’s mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization. Employing a diverse workforce is central to our success.

 

Students from Non-Member States are able to apply only if they have been residing in a Member State or an Associate Member State for the last 5 years and are enrolled in a Member State or an Associate Member State educational establishment.

  • You have started or are about to start a doctoral programme at a CERN Member State university.
  • Your work envisaged at CERN is all or part of the thesis work required to obtain your PhD. Daily supervision of the student during the period at CERN will be the responsibility of a CERN staff member. The award of the degree remains the responsibility of the applicant's university. Hence in each case the academic arrangements will be discussed between the university thesis supervisor and the CERN supervisor.
  • Doctoral Studentships are for 6 months initially, and are normally renewable for two further periods of 12 months. The total period (up to 36 months) may extend over a maximum duration of four consecutive years, whereby periods of up to 12 months are granted as unpaid special leave giving the option to students to spend time at their university.
  • You have a good knowledge of English OR French.
  • 3679 CHF/month (the allowance is net of tax). Please note that CERN cannot contribute to any cost related to the Unviersity nor will CERN reimburse tuition fees.  
  • Travel allowance
  • Additional allowance for students who are married and/or with child(ren)
  • Contract of association initially 6 months, renewable up to 3 years
  • Membership of the Health Insurance scheme (contribution automatically deducted from allowance).
  • 40 hours/week
  • 2.5 days of annual leave/month
  • CERN housing service helps finding local accommodation.

Once your application form has been submitted, you will receive an acknowledgement e-mail which contains a link to the CERN "Report on candidate" form. You must forward this link to at least one referee. One reference letter from your University Professor is mandatory (should you no longer have any links to your academic environment we will then accept a reference from a previous employer / internship supervisor). Reports from last committee will not be accepted. Students must also upload their most recent academic transcript giving an overview of their marks (if you download it from your university portal please make sure there is no protection so that we can open it), as well as a CV (in English or French) in order to complete the application.

Please only upload the required documents for this position and ensure good/readable quality of those. Please also ensure correct labelling of your documents when uploading them.

Candidates are required to apply online before 16.04.2018 (23:59 CET) and submit the required documents before 18.04.2018 (23:59 CET) If any document is missing, the application will not be considered during the selection process.

Overview of closing dates are available here.

Please note that applications may be forwarded to a panel of national experts for evaluation purposes.

Applications are considered by a Selection Committee which meets two times a year in June and December.

Contracts normally start on the first calendar day of a month and usually two months after the selection committee.

 

 

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