Working at CERN

CERN is a truly unique organisation. A genuine collaboration between countries, universities and scientists, driven not by profit margins, but by a commitment to create and share knowledge.

People here are part of immense scientific discoveries, answering some of life’s most complex questions and pushing the boundaries of understanding. Experts from every field come here to share in this ambition and the nature of this collaborative, international community creates a genuine atmosphere of trust. People are free to work creatively and to trust in, and rely on, their colleagues across the organisation.

History’s being made here – and the excitement is tangible, inspiring, overwhelming at times. It is the only place in the world that you can do this work in this way.

CERN. Take part.

Why join us

"97.2% of CERN employees are proud to work for this organisation."

Professional member survey 2009, Université de Lyon

"Because at CERN you are an individual with ideas, personality and a voice. You share CERN's vision, but you do it with your own eyes!"

Engineer, General Services Department, 2012

Today CERN employs over 2500 people - if you visit us you will find over 2500 different reasons why CERN is a great place to work! Here are 6 key reasons we believe will make you love working here.

Purpose

CERN's people are driven by a shared goal, a single purpose. They want to achieve the impossible, to do what’s never been done before. Everyone here strives to be the best they can be, true specialists and industry "firsts" are created regularly – not just in the world of physics.

Challenge

Unravelling the mysteries of the universe: it’s a big task. And that’s one of the reasons that experts come to CERN – to test themselves, push their abilities and help create history with groundbreaking discoveries. But this is not just about physics. The engineering and technical skills needed to make the experiments succeed are as world-class as the science behind them. If you want to help answer the world’s toughest questions, this is the place to do it.

Integrity

This is a word that is included in the CERN values, but it’s something that can be claimed by any number of organisations, so what does it actually mean here? Respect isn’t handed out automatically at CERN – it’s earned. But, because of the nature of the work, people act with integrity. People are driven by scientific discovery. Their motivations are pure. They trust and are trusted.

Collaboration

CERN is an employer, a university and a state: a whole community working towards a shared goal – scientific discovery. This creates a collaborative world. Seniors work with graduates. Physicists need engineers. Countries forget politics and collaborate to achieve. And knowledge – CERN’s main commodity – is shared throughout CERN, its member states and the rest of the world.

Imagination

This is work without boundaries. People here are realising the impossible. Pushing what is known and accepted with the courage to ask, “what if?” They have the freedom to think differently, to imagine, and to find improbable solutions to problems that have never been asked before. They are free to take chances, to challenge ideas and to enjoy unrestrictive working practices.

Quality of life

Of course, there’s one final element that helps to make CERN what it is today. People here enjoy living a truly cosmopolitan life, in the heart of Europe. The environment offers a myriad of leisure activities, both on Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains. With excellent benefits, great remuneration and the freedom to work flexibly, it’s not just the work and atmosphere that makes people enjoy their jobs, it’s the tangible elements that they receive too.