Fellowship•Switzerland · Geneva

CERN Research Fellowship

Funding

Salary

Program dates

TBA

The Research Fellowship is CERN’s postdoctoral programme for recent PhD graduates in physics, engineering, and computing. Fellows join CERN’s research teams near Geneva, Switzerland, working on fundamental physics, detector and accelerator technology, mathematics, and software. It is a paid, fixed-term appointment (not a tuition scholarship), open across theoretical physics, experimental physics, applied physics, electrical/electronics engineering, material and surface science, mathematics, and software engineering / IT. Positions are advertised in rounds through the year; an applied physics & engineering round is currently open with an application deadline of 30 August 2026.

Benefits & funding

  • Monthly stipend of 7,004–7,425 Swiss francs, tax-free, depending on your degree.
  • Contract of 6 to 24 months, with a possible extension up to 36 months.
  • CERN’s comprehensive health insurance scheme covering you, your partner, and your children.
  • Membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
  • Installation grant, family / child / infant allowances, and travel expenses, depending on circumstances.
  • 30 days of paid leave per year plus two weeks during the annual closure.
  • Access to training and language classes.

Eligibility

  • You must be a national of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State.
  • You hold a PhD, or will obtain it within six months of applying (it must be completed before the appointment starts).
  • For theoretical and experimental physics: no more than 6 years’ research experience after your PhD by the deadline.
  • For applied sciences and engineering: no more than 3 years’ research experience after your PhD (exceptionally up to 6 years).
  • You have never previously held a CERN fellow or graduate contract.
  • Note: per-country contribution ceilings can temporarily close intake from individual states — for 2026 starts, Pakistani and Lithuanian nationals could not be considered. This is a per-cycle cap, not a permanent exclusion.

Application process

  1. 1
    Find an open Research Fellowship vacancy on the CERN careers site for your field.
  2. 2
    Submit the online application with your CV, university diploma / certificate, and a research statement.
  3. 3
    Provide reference letters and complete any online interview if shortlisted.

Program timeline

  1. Application deadline (applied physics & engineering round)

    Aug 30, 2026

  2. Through the year

    Further field-specific rounds open on the CERN careers site