Skip to main content

This job has expired

Doctoral Student Programme

Employer
CERN
Location
Geneva, Switzerland
Closing date
21 Oct 2019

Job Details

Company Description

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.

Job Description

Imagine getting involved in work that is changing the world and imagine doing it before you’ve left university.

Imagine working in an international environment and having a great quality of life.

Put all these ingredients together to make this imagination a reality.

Take part in CERN’s Doctoral Student Programme! 

This is a chance to work on your thesis while spending up to 36 months at the forefront of science. Whether you’ve already chosen a subject or are still making your decision, if your specialism is Applied Physics, Engineering or Computing, this is an invitation to further your knowledge in a truly unique organization. In fact, it’s an invitation to get involved in world-famous experiments of unprecedented scale and scope. An invitation to join an environment like nowhere else on Earth.

You will have the opportunity to work in a diversity of fields at the cutting edge of technology: applied physics, IT, mathematics, electricity, electronics, mechanical or civil engineering, instrumentation for accelerators and particle physics experiments, materials science, radiation protection, safety and environmental protection, science communication, surveying, ultra-high vacuum are but a few of the examples of the many domains in which successful applicants will learn and contribute their knowledge.

Students specialising in theoretical or experimental particle physics are not eligible to apply for this programme.

Qualifications

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 (home.cern/about/member-states).
  • You have started or are about to start a doctoral programme in a university.
  • Your work envisaged at CERN is all or part of the thesis work required to obtain your PhD. The award of the degree remains the responsibility of your university. Academic arrangements will be discussed between your university thesis supervisor and your CERN supervisor.
  • You have a good knowledge of English OR French.

Additional Information

CERN would very much like to benefit from your expertise, commitment and passion. 

In return, CERN will provide you with:

  • A contract of association for 6 months initially, renewable up to 3 years.
  • The total period (up to 36 months) may be spread over a maximum duration of four consecutive years to allow you to spend time at your university (for periods of up to 12 months, granted as unpaid special leave).
  • An allowance of 3704 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
  • A travel allowance.
  • Depending on your personal circumstances, a supplement if you are married and/or have children.
  • Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive Health Insurance scheme (the contribution will be automatically deducted from your allowance).
  • 2,5 days of paid leave per month.

Please note that CERN cannot contribute to any cost related to your University nor will CERN reimburse tuition fees.

This is how you can apply:

You will need the following documents, clearly labelled (e.g. “CV”, “Motivation letter”, “Academic transcript”, etc.) and in PDF format to complete your application:

  • A CV.
  • A copy of your most recent academic transcript giving an overview of your marks (if you download it from your university portal please make sure there is no protection so that we can open it).
  • A reference letter from your University Professor is mandatory. Should you have a letter of reference from a previous internship you may add this as a second reference.
    • You can upload these letters at the time of application if you have them to hand. You will also be provided with a link as soon as you have submitted your application to forward to your referees to upload their letters confidentially.
    • Note: this must be done before the closing date.

Make sure you have all the documents needed to hand as you start your application, as once it is submitted, you will not be able to upload any documents or edit your application further. 

Your application along with all supporting documents should reach us no later than 21 October 2019. Please note that your application may also be shared during the process with a panel of national experts for evaluation purposes. Ultimately, it will be reviewed by a panel of CERN experts who will meet in December 2019.

Company

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.

Company info
Location
THE EUROPEAN ORGANIZATION FOR NUCLEAR RESEARCH
385 ROUTE DE MEYRIN
MEYRIN
1217
CH

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert