Deadline: March 5, 2018
CERN Fellowship Programmes are now open. Accelerate your career at CERN and take part in today’s biggest scientific breakthroughs! Fellows come from all around the world!
For many years, CERN has operated an international Fellowship programme, offering scientists and engineers challenging opportunities in particle physics research, and in related fields of physics and technology. The programme provides an excellent possibility for work, research and constant training to those who are interested in science and technology at the highest level.
The Fellowship Programme is addressed to graduates from universities or higher technical institutes in a wide range of applied sciences, computing and engineering with limited or no work experience. Senior Fellowships are awarded to doctorate (PhD or equivalent) graduates whereas Junior Fellowship are intended for BSc or MSc graduates looking to work in a research group.
There are two levels of Fellowship within the programme:
- The Senior Fellowship Programme, addressed to people with a Ph.D. or at least four years of experience after the MSc diploma (or equivalent diploma which has given access to doctoral programmes). In both cases, there is a maximum limit of ten years of experience after the MSc diploma.
- The Junior Fellowship Programme, for holders of at least a Technical Engineer degree (or equivalent) and at most a MSc degree (or equivalent) with not more than 4 years of experience. Please note that the Junior Fellowship programme is only open to nationals of CERN Member States.
Appointment Conditions
- Stipend range : 5165 CHF to 7963 CHF per month (stipends are calculated individually, are competitive and net of tax).
- Contract duration is 6 months to three years, typical duration is two years. It can be exceptionally possible to extend for all or part of a 3rd year.
- Travel expenses at the beginning and end of the contract (depending on individual circumstances).
- Installation indemnity (depending on individual circumstances).
- Family allowance, child allowance, infant allowance (depending on individual circumstances).
- Pension Fund membership (contribution automatically deducted from stipend).
- Membership of the Health Insurance scheme (contribution automatically deducted from stipend).
- Full remuneration for the first 12 months of sick leave. Medical certificate required for any absence of more than three consecutive days.
- 40 hours working week.
- 2.5 days paid annual leave per month.
- CERN housing service helps finding local accommodation; visa service; social affairs service.
Eligibility
- You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate State. However, a limited number of positions are also available to young scientists from Non-Member States with a Senior profile.
- You have graduated or are about to graduate with a university degree (BSc level or above) or a technical engineer qualification. NB: Applicants who are currently preparing a diploma are eligible to apply. However, they are expected to have obtained their qualification by the time they take up their appointment at CERN.
- Either, you have a MSc level diploma or above with no more than 10 years relevant experience (PhD studies are counted as relevant experience); or you have no more than a BSc or a technical engineer diploma with a maximum of 4 years relevant experience. In both cases, experience is only counted from the time the highest diploma is obtained.
- If applying in experimental or theoretical physics fields, you have a PhD or are about to finish your thesis.
- Non-Member State candidates seeking a postdoc in Theoretical Physics should apply for the Non-Member State Postdoc Fellowship Programme (Theoretical Physics)
- Candidates in Theoretical Physics should only apply for the November committee.
CERN Staff members are not eligible to apply for a Fellowship.
Please note that a person may only benefit from Fellow status at CERN for a maximum of 36 months. The minimum duration of a Fellow contract is 6 months.
Application
The following documents are required together with the completed electronic application form:
- a Curriculum Vitae;
- a list of publications if relevant (for collaborations, please indicate simply the number of publications and only provide details of the most important ones);
- a photocopy of the most recent (highest) qualification;
- three recent letters of recommendation (not older than a year at the time of the deadline for applications) to give as broad as possible overview of your academic and/or professional achievements. When you click on “Apply” above you will see a link to forward to your referees so that they can submit their letters. You can forward them the link at any time (even if you have not submitted your application. If you have reference letters in your possession, do not use the link. You should upload them via “My documents”.
Candidates for research fellowships (Theoretical and Experimental Physics) should also include a CV containing:
- A list of publications to which you have made a significant contribution;
- Conferences at which you have given presentations;
- Statement of research interests.
Applications are considered by the Associates and Fellows Committee (AFC) which takes place twice a year, usually in May and November. Apply on-line by the relevant deadline for the following:
- Fellowship programme
- Non-Member State Postdoc Fellowship Programme (Theoretical Physics)
- CERN Japan Fellowship
- Post Career Break Fellowship
For more information, visit CERN Fellowship Programme.
