CERN, the world’s leading particle physics laboratory located in Geneva, Switzerland, is accepting applications for its Doctoral Student Programme 2026. This fully funded opportunity allows PhD students to conduct thesis research at CERN for a period of up to 36 months, with their work contributing directly to their doctoral degree at their home university. This guide covers CERN Doctoral Student Programme in full — funding, eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.
Key Details
- Host institution: CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), Geneva, Switzerland
- Programme type: Doctoral Studentship (PhD research at CERN contributing to university thesis)
- Fields available: Physics, computing, engineering, applied sciences, mathematics, electronics
- Duration: Up to 36 months
- Funding: Monthly stipend (competitive; updated annually), travel allowance, health insurance
- Eligibility: Must be enrolled in a PhD programme at a university; university must agree that CERN research will count towards the thesis; applicants must be nationals of CERN member or associate member states
- Application Deadline: 30 June 2026 ⚠️ (deadline is very soon!)
- How to Apply: Online via the CERN careers portal at careers.cern
A CERN Doctoral Studentship is a unique career-defining opportunity that places PhD students at the heart of the world’s most advanced physics experiments. Students work alongside Nobel Prize-level scientists and contribute to frontier research in fundamental physics, accelerator technology, and computing. The programme has a prestigious global reputation and is highly valued by employers and academic institutions worldwide.
Always verify deadlines and details on the official CERN careers website before applying.
CERN Doctoral Student Programme: key details
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