Doctoral Studentship

Imagine immersing yourself in a unique environment where your theoretical knowledge meets real-world application. Whether your passion lies within the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), CERN, in collaboration with your university, offers you an unparalleled platform to develop your skills, gain invaluable hands-on experience, and write a thesis that could shape the future of science.
See open positions by Field of Work

Programme overview

The Doctoral Student Programme at CERN is an exceptional opportunity designed for PhD students to engage in cutting-edge research at one of the world’s most prestigious scientific institutions. As a participant, you are given the chance to collaborate with leading scientists and engineers, contributing to projects that push the boundaries of human knowledge.

In addition to the technical and research experience, CERN’s Doctoral Student Programme offers a vibrant, multicultural environment, with students and professionals from all over the world. This diversity fosters a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives, further enhancing the learning experience.

What we offer

  • A monthly allowance of 3891 Swiss Francs (tax free).
  • 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.
  • 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
  • A contract duration for 6 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 your university.
Ready to elevate your PhD with groundbreaking research at CERN?

Explore a wide range

of opportunities

Applied Physics

Applied Physics

Applied Physics at CERN plays a vital role in transforming theoretical concepts into tangible technologies that drive both scientific discovery and practical innovation. From developing cutting-edge particle detectors to contributing to global medical advancements, CERN’s applied physicists are at the forefront of technology that changes the world.

Civil Engineering

Civil Engineering

Creating an inspiring and welcoming environment for CERN’s scientific community by managing and developing CERN’s buildings and infrastructures.

Data Science & Data Analytics

Data Science & Data Analytics

Our Data Analytics and Data Science experts transform massive datasets from large physics experiments into valuable insights leveraging cutting-edge algorithms and computational tools to drive innovation across various fields.

Electrical or Electronics Engineering

Electrical or Electronics Engineering

Pivotal in designing, developing, and maintaining the sophisticated systems that power our cutting-edge experiments.

Health, Safety and Environment

Health, Safety and Environment

Playing a pivotal role in ensuring the well-being of our people and the sustainability of our operations.

Material and Surface Science

Material and Surface Science

Developing and maintaining advanced materials and surfaces essential for the optimal performance of particle accelerators.

Mathematics

Mathematics

Mathematics at CERN provides the essential language and tools that underpin theoretical models, data analysis, and algorithm development. From simulating high-energy collisions to optimizing detector performance, mathematical methods drive innovation across all areas of particle physics research.

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering at CERN is crucial to advancing technology and enabling cutting-edge scientific discoveries. Our engineers design, build, and maintain sophisticated machinery, complex accelerator systems and experimental facilities that power some of the world’s most complex and impactful experiments.

Software Engineering and IT

Software Engineering and IT

Software is crucial to CERN’s mission of producing particle beams for physics experiments, coordinating thousands of devices through a sophisticated accelerator control system. Our engineers and technicians develop software across all layers, from embedded real-time systems to micro-service-based backend servers and user interfaces. We leverage mainstream, open-source technologies such as Linux, Docker, Kubernetes, Java, Python, and Kafka, ensuring our knowledge is broadly applicable beyond CERN.

Here is a sneak peek of the eligibility criteria and recruitment process

Eligibility Criteria

  • Nationality
    You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
    Our Member and Associate Member States
  • Specific requirement
    Your university must accept that the research you conduct at CERN contributes to your doctoral thesis in one of CERN’s fields of work (science, technology, engineering, mathematics, etc.)
  • Student status
    You are 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.
  • Language skills
    You have a good knowledge of English or French.

Recruitment process for this programme

  1. Submit application
    Apply with your CV (in English or French) and complete the online application before the deadline.
    Add an academic reference letter + transcript (optional).
  2. Application review and interview
    Your application will be reviewed and you may be invited to take part in an online interview with the hiring manager(s) to discuss your application, CERN and the position, and for you both to determine if it could be a good fit.
  3. Offer and onboarding:
    If you are successful, you will receive an offer. Once you accept, your onboarding journey begin!

They have completed their Doctoral Studentship

Nikita
Mathematics student for AWAKE Experiment
Tell us a little about yourself… What do you do at CERN today?  After studying mathematics at university, I decided to take a leap of faith and apply for the CERN Doctoral Student Programme. To my own surprise (I had no background in physics let alone accelerator physics) I was accepted am now working in […]
Read Nikita’s story
Monty
PhD Student in Detector Physics
The main growth I have seen in myself is on a personal level. Simply through all the international experiences and the different people I got to meet during my time at CERN.
Read Monty’s story
Jirka
Space Engineer for ISOLDE
Ever since I started university, I’ve always been most passionate about courses that were deeply rooted in Physics. I was never satisfied just plugging numbers into formulas, I always wanted to understand the principles behind them.
Read Jirka’s story
Rebecca
Doctoral Student
Everyone working here is so excited about the work they do.. There are always new people to meet and new connections to form
Read Rebecca’s story

Open positions in the Doctoral Studentship

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Applied Physics

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Civil Engineering

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Data Science & Data Analytics

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Electrical or Electronics Engineering

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Health, Safety and Environment

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Material and Surface Science

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Mathematics

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Mechanical Engineering

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Software Engineering and IT

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