CERN Switzerland PhD Student Scholarship 2025
If you are a PhD student from a country that is not a member or associate member of CERN, this is an incredible opportunity for you to immerse yourself in one of the world’s most advanced scientific environments.
The CERN Non-Member State Doctoral Student Programme allows you to conduct part of your doctoral research at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a centre for groundbreaking discoveries in physics, engineering, and computer science.
This program is more than just an internship; it is a fully funded doctoral position at CERN for up to two years. It offers you the chance to develop skills, gain international experience, and return home with knowledge that can significantly enhance research in your country.
Programme Aim
The initiative intends to:
- Offer capacity-building opportunities to PhD candidates from emerging research settings.
- Provide top-tier training, oversight, and experience in particle physics, applied physics, IT/computing, and engineering.
- Allow you to engage in state-of-the-art experiments similar to those at the LHC while pursuing your PhD at your home institution.
Scholarship Benefits
While you are at CERN, you will get:
- CHF 3,891/month (after tax) stipend.
- Up to a 2-year association contract (may be divided to permit work at the home university).
- Travel expenses to and from Geneva.
- Family assistance is provided if your partner/children travel with you.
- Complete health coverage while you’re here (deducted from stipend).
- 2.5 paid leave days each month during your time at CERN.
What will you focus on
As a doctoral student at CERN NMS, you may play a role in:
- Particle Physics & Applied Physics: Perform experiments that explore the tiniest components of the universe.
- Engineering & Instrumentation: Collaborate with innovative technologies in mechanical, materials, and electronic engineering.
- Information Technology/Computer Science: Enhance high-performance computing and data analysis for worldwide experiments.
Your research at CERN will constitute part of or the entirety of your doctoral thesis, in collaboration with your home university advisor and a CERN advisor.
Eligibility Requirements
You may submit your application if you:
- You are a citizen of a CERN Non-Member State (priority is given to students from developing countries or areas).
- Are registered in a doctoral program at a university in a qualifying nation.
- Must have finished a minimum of one year of your PhD prior to applying.
- Obtain your university’s approval to co-supervise your research at CERN.
- Possess strong English and/or French abilities.
Necessary Documents for Application Submission
Create these in PDF format (clearly labeled) to submit for this CERN PhD program:
- CV.
- Motivation letter (emphasizing the capacity-building effects in your nation).
- Research interest declaration.
- Two letters of reference (one from the supervisor of the PhD).
- Correspondence from the home university confirming the co-supervision agreement.
- Recent academic transcript and degree certificate.
- Proof of PhD enrolment
How to Apply
Application Deadline
The deadline to submit applications for the CERN Non-Member State Doctoral Student Programme is 20 October 2025 (23:59 CET). Selections will occur following the panel review, with placements anticipated to begin in 2026
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