CERN Doctoral Student Programme

The CERN Doctoral Student Programme allows PhD students to spend up to 36 months carrying out research at CERN while completing their doctoral thesis in collaboration with their home university.

Participants join an international research environment and contribute to projects in areas such as applied physics, engineering, computing, data science, mathematics and related technical fields.

What the programme offers

• A tax-free monthly allowance of CHF 3,907.

• CERN Health Insurance coverage.

• 30 days of paid leave per year plus two weeks of annual closure.

• Possible family supplement depending on individual circumstances.

• Travel expenses to Geneva depending on individual circumstances.

• A contract of 12 months, renewable for up to 36 months.

• The possibility to divide the CERN placement across a maximum period of four consecutive years.

Eligibility

• You must be enrolled in a PhD programme in a relevant field.

• Your university must agree that your research at CERN will contribute to your doctoral thesis.

• Relevant fields include physics, engineering, computer science and related applied sciences.

• You must have a good knowledge of English or French.

• You must be a national of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State.

Required documents

• CV in English or French.

• Academic reference letter — optional.

• Academic transcript — optional.

• Any other relevant supporting documents.

Application deadline

16 October 2026 at 23:59 Geneva time.