CERN Doctoral Student Programme 2026 (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the CERN Doctoral Student Programme 2026-1, a prestigious opportunity to advance your doctoral research at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland. This programme is designed for PhD students in Applied Physics, Engineering, or Computing, offering up to 36 months to work on your thesis while contributing to world-class scientific experiments.

The programme is fully funded, providing a monthly allowance of 3,891 Swiss Francs (net of tax), travel support, and health insurance. It is open to nationals of CERN Member or Associate Member States who are enrolled or about to enroll in a doctoral programme. There is no application fee, and the deadline to apply is November 16, 2025 (23:59 CET). You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here

Key Details

• Location: Geneva, Switzerland
• Duration: Up to 36 months (initial 12-month contract, renewable)
• Fields: Applied Physics, Engineering, Computing (e.g., IT, electronics, materials science, radiation protection)
• Funding: Fully funded (3,891 Swiss Francs/month, travel allowance, health insurance, family supplement if applicable)
• Application Deadline: November 16, 2025 (23:59 CET)
• Application Fee: None

Why Join CERN’s Doctoral Student Programme?

This is a unique opportunity to:

• Work on world-famous experiments of unprecedented scale.
• Collaborate with leading scientists and engineers in a diverse, innovative environment.
• Gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge fields such as IT, electronics, materials science, and more.
• Contribute to your PhD thesis while immersed in a world-class research facility.

Available Fields

Successful candidates can work in a variety of technical domains, including:

• Applied Physics
• IT and Mathematics
• Electricity and 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 Technology

Explore examples of current doctoral projects at CERN’s Doctoral Student Programme Projects. You can mention specific projects of interest in the “Note to Hiring Manager” section of your application, though selection for these projects is not guaranteed.

Also check: Clarendon Scholarship 2026 at Oxford University, UK

Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State.
• Have started or are about to start a doctoral programme at a university.
• Your work at CERN must contribute to your PhD thesis, with academic arrangements coordinated between your university and CERN supervisors.
• Have a good knowledge of English or French.

Eligible Countries

This opportunity is open to all nationals of a CERN Member or Associate Member State, which includes the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Brazil, Croatia, India, Latvia, Lithuania, Pakistan, Türkiye, and Ukraine.

Want to study in Switzerland? Check this Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships

Benefits

As a participant in the CERN Doctoral Student Programme, you’ll receive:

• A contract of association for an initial 12 months, renewable up to 36 months (spread over a maximum of 4 years, including unpaid special leave for university commitments).
• A monthly allowance of 3,891 Swiss Francs (net of tax).
• A travel allowance.
• A supplement for married candidates or those with children (if applicable).
• Comprehensive health insurance (with contributions deducted from your allowance).
• 2.5 days of paid leave per month.

Important Notes:

• The 3-year contract duration does not impose a time limit for completing your PhD.
• CERN does not cover university tuition fees or related costs.

Check also: Tokyo Metropolitan University Scholarship 2026 (Fully Funded)

How to Apply

To submit your application, prepare the following:

• A CV in English or French (PDF format).
• Optional: Academic transcripts or reference letters to strengthen your application.

Submit your application via CERN’s careers portal by November 16, 2025 (23:59 CET). Your application may be shared with national experts for evaluation and will be reviewed by a CERN panel between November 2025 and February 2026. You may be contacted for a phone or video interview during this period, with outcomes announced by the end of February 2026.

Also check: Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship 2026 (All Disciplines)

Note: If your university requires a traineeship agreement, you must use CERN’s standard agreement, as CERN does not sign external documents.