Research Fellowship : Experimental Physics

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on home.cern/

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization.

Welcome to the Research Fellowship : Experimental Physics.

The Research Fellowship Programme is aimed at PhD holders in the fields of experimental physics which have up to 6 years’ experience after obtaining their PhD degree. Research Fellowships are intended for PhD graduates looking to work in a research group.

Please remember that you are applying for a programme and not for a specific job. If selected, you will have a free choice of research group. You may express your motivation for applying during the interactive online application process, and/or attach a separate motivation letter.  As our online application system only allows for alphanumeric values, an attachment may provide you with a greater freedom of expression. 

Candidates holding a PhD (or about to hold one), whose specific field of interest is solely theoretical physics or in the fields of applied science and engineering, should consider to apply for the 'Research Fellowship: Applied Physics and Engineering' or ‘Research Fellowship: Theoretical Physics’, respectively.

In order to qualify for a place on the programme you will need to meet the following requirements:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State. A limited number of positions are also available to candidates from Non-Member States.
• You have or are about to obtain, a PhD in particle physics or in a closely related discipline aligned with the physics programme of CERN's experimental facilities. If you have not obtained your PhD yet the defense date should be already scheduled, and your PhD completed within 6 months after the deadline of the publication of this position. In any event, you should have finished your PhD studies by the time you take up your appointment at CERN.
• You have no more than 6 years’ research experience after completion of your PhD degree at the deadline of the publication of this position.
• Please note that CERN Staff members are not eligible to apply for a Fellowship.

CERN would very much like to benefit from your expertise, commitment and passion. In return, CERN will provide you with:

• An employment contract for typically 24 months. A small number of outstanding candidates will be offered a 36 month fellowship.
• A stipend ranging from 6,808 to 7,218 Swiss francs per month (net of tax).
• Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Depending on your individual circumstances: an installation grant, family, child and infant allowances as well as travel expenses to and from Geneva.
• 2.5 days of paid leave per month.

Your future Life @CERN

Get a glimpse of what it’s like to work at CERN: https://careers.cern/benefits and https://careers.cern/our-people

This is how you can apply:

You will need the following documents (in PDF format, as separate files) to complete your application:

• A CV.
• Your most recent relevant qualification.
• A statement of research interests focusing on your plans for the research fellowship (maximum one page and a maximum of 4000 characters).
• Three recent letters of recommendation (not older than a year at the time of the deadline for applications) giving an overview of your academic and/or professional achievements.
  • You will be provided with a link as soon as you have submitted your application to forward to your referees to upload their letters confidentially. Please note this must be done before the closing date. You can also upload these letters at the time of the application if you have them to hand, but this is discouraged.

When filling in the online application form, you will also be asked to specify:

• Up to five most important publications to which you have made a significant contribution;
• Up to five international conferences or workshops at which you have given presentations;
• Up to five public or internal notes to which you have contributed personally;
• Up to three experiments in which you have participated.

All applications should reach us no later than 2 September 2024 at 23:59 CET.

The results will be approved at the selection committee meeting of 21 November 2024, and candidates will be notified shortly after. It is expected that selected candidates start their contract within about six months following the notification.

Please note that all the documents you upload will remain attached to your Smartrecruiters profile. You do not need to upload them again for other applications you might submit.