CERN-STFC Non-Member State Doctoral Student Programme — CERN
- Location
- Genève
- Contract
- full-time
- Posted
- Yesterday
Role overview
Imagine getting involved in cutting-edge research and technology before you have left university.
Imagine working in an international environment, acquiring skills to bring back to your country.
As part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Africa-UK Physics Partnership Programme, funded by the UK Government’s International Science Partnerships Fund, CERN is launching a capacity-building program.
- Imagine getting involved in cutting-edge research and technology before you have left university.
- Imagine working in an international environment, acquiring skills to bring back to your country.
- A letter confirming the interest of a team from the home university to accept to co-supervise the thesis work. A copy of the most recent academic transcript and the last diploma.
Key requirements
- A letter confirming the interest of a team from the home university to accept to co-supervise the thesis work. A copy of the most recent academic transcript and the last diploma.
Application process
- You will need the following documents, in English or in French, clearly labelled (e.g. “CV”, “Motivation letter”, “Academic transcript”, etc.) and in PDF format to complete your application: A CV.
- A letter of motivation, also mentioning the impact of obtaining this grant on their studies, career, and capacity building in the academic community in the student’s country and region. A statement of research interest.
- Two letters of reference, of which one from the university professor who is supervising the PhD studies in the home institution.
- Proof of enrolment in a PhD programme at a university in an eligible country.
- Your application along with all supporting documents should reach us no later than September 24th (at 23:59 CET) .
- Please note that your application may also be shared during the process with an external panel to assess its capacity-building potential.
- Ultimately, it will be reviewed by a panel of CERN experts with an expected start date for the placement by December 2026. Global Benefits A monthly allowance of 3907 Swiss Francs (tax free).
- 30 days of paid leave per year plus 2 weeks annual closure.
Company and context
- This is an invitation to PhD students to further their knowledge in a truly unique organization, to get involved in world-famous experiments and accelerator projects of unprecedented scale and scope, and to bring back to their home countries and regions new skills and a varied expertise.
- You will have the opportunity to work in a diversity of fields at the cutting edge of science and technology: particle physics, applied physics, engineering, information technology/computer science, instrumentation, materials science are but a few of the examples of the many domains in which successful applicants will learn and contribute their knowledge.
- You must be a national of South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Ghana, Rwanda or Uganda who is registered on a PhD programme in one of the subjects mentioned above in a higher education institution in one of these six countries.
- Students must be enrolled in a university and have completed at least one year of their PhD studies, thus ensuring that the necessary basis through coursework is acquired together with an overall proof of commitment and capacity.
- In the case the thesis work would be related to an experiment, the university needs to be affiliated with the corresponding experiment collaboration.
- The work envisaged at CERN is all or part of the thesis work required to obtain the PhD degree.
- While the daily co-supervisor during the stay at CERN could be a CERN Staff Member, the full PhD supervision and the award of the degree remains the responsibility of the home university.
- Academic arrangements will be agreed between the university thesis supervisor and the CERN supervisor, thus setting up a partnership between the home university and CERN covering the full duration of the PhD studies of the student.
- Good knowledge of English and/or French.
- Important note!
Additional details
- The studentships offer the chance to students from one of six African countries to work towards a PhD thesis at their home institution in Africa while spending one year at CERN, at the forefront of science, over the full period of their PhD studies.
- An allowance of 3907 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax). A travel allowance.
- CERN will not contribute to any cost related to the home university, pay any allowance during the periods the students are not at CERN, nor will CERN reimburse any tuition fees. This is how you can apply:
- You will need the following documents, in English or in French, clearly labelled (e.g. “CV”, “Motivation letter”, “Academic transcript”, etc.) and in PDF format to complete your application:
- A letter of motivation, also mentioning the impact of obtaining this grant on their studies, career, and capacity building in the academic community in the student’s country and region. A statement of research interest.
- A letter confirming the interest of a team from the home university to accept to co-supervise the thesis work. A copy of the most recent academic transcript and the last diploma.
- Ultimately, it will be reviewed by a panel of CERN experts with an expected start date for the placement by December 2026. A monthly allowance of 3907 Swiss Francs (tax free).
- A contract duration for 12 months, renewable up to 3 years, with possibility to spread over a maximum duration of 4 consecutive years to allow you to spend time at the university. Be sure to meet the eligibility criteria
- You will need these documents to complete your application Your CV (English or French)
- Any document you consider relevant to your application An academic reference letter (optional) An academic transcript (optional)
Notes and original content
- An allowance of 3907 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
- A travel allowance.
- CERN will not contribute to any cost related to the home university, pay any allowance during the periods the students are not at CERN, nor will CERN reimburse any tuition fees.
- This is how you can apply:
- A letter of motivation, also mentioning the impact of obtaining this grant on their studies, career, and capacity building in the academic community in the student’s country and region.
- A statement of research interest.
- A letter confirming the interest of a team from the home university to accept to co-supervise the thesis work.
- A copy of the most recent academic transcript and the last diploma.
- Ultimately, it will be reviewed by a panel of CERN experts with an expected start date for the placement by December 2026.
- Global Benefits
Questions about this listing
What salary does CERN offer for this role?
CERN lists CHF 63'000 - 107'500 gross per year for this position in Genève. This is the salary published in the original listing (or, when the employer omits a figure, a realistic estimate for the role and sector) — the calculator on this site converts it to your actual net take-home once cross-border tax and social contributions are applied.
Is this a full-time role, and what type of contract does CERN offer?
This listing is a full-time position. The contract type shown here comes directly from the employer's original posting; always confirm exact hours, notice period and probation length with CERN during the application process, since these details can vary by role even within the same contract category.
Do I need a cross-border work permit for a role in Geneva?
EU/EFTA residents living in the border zone of the country adjoining Canton Geneva can apply for a G permit; the Swiss employer files it with that canton's migration office after the contract is signed. Border-zone rules and processing times vary by neighbouring country and canton, so confirm the specifics with Geneva's cantonal migration office or with HR during the application.
How do I apply for this position at CERN?
Use the "Apply now" button on this page — it links directly to CERN's original listing at jobs.smartrecruiters.com, so your application goes straight to the employer's own applicant-tracking system. Frontaliere Ticino does not collect or forward applications itself.
