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CERN Jobs 2026

European Organization for Nuclear Research

HQ: Meyrin, Switzerland

Explore current vacancies with European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), including hiring locations, requirements, duties, salaries, grades, contracts, career insights and application links.

Updated daily

Common ways candidates explore CERN careers by opportunity type, location and field.

About CERN

CERN is Europe’s laboratory for particle physics. It designs, builds and operates accelerators and experiments that probe the fundamental structure of matter and the Universe, led by the Large Hadron Collider. Its 25 Member States fund a shared research infrastructure on the France–Switzerland border, where scientists, engineers, technicians and digital specialists collaborate on discovery, technology and open science.

Established
1954
Global Workforce
~2,500
Annual Budget
CHF 1.515bn (2026)
Global Presence
25 Member States

CERN Hiring Locations

Countries with active CERN vacancies right now.

Working with CERN

Working at CERN means helping run and develop a research infrastructure whose purpose is fundamental science, rather than joining a university department or an LHC experiment collaboration. CERN itself employs roughly 2,500 staff to design, build, operate and improve accelerators, detectors, computing and the laboratory site. Around them, a much larger international research community uses the facilities. That distinction matters for job seekers: a CERN staff vacancy supports its scientific programme.

Why Work at CERN?

  • Build the instruments of discovery

    Build and operate instruments that make discoveries about the universe possible.

  • International collaboration by design

    Work across science, engineering and digital systems with colleagues from many nations.

  • Rare hands-on technical scope

    Gain rare practical experience on complex infrastructure, data platforms and breakthrough technology.

How to Apply for CERN Jobs

Once you find a suitable CERN vacancy on IGO Jobs or the CERN careers page, submit your application through CERN’s official recruitment portal. Below is a guide on how to apply.

Official CERN application route ↗
1Choose the right CERN vacancy or programme

Use the official CERN careers site to compare staff roles and graduate, fellowship, student or apprenticeship opportunities. Read the full notice, not only the title: it sets the department, contract, deadline, duty location, experience range and whether it is a named vacancy or a programme call.

2Check the stated eligibility requirements first

Confirm the degree level, experience limit, language requirements, previous CERN-contract condition and nationality rule in that particular announcement. CERN recruits predominantly from Member and Associate Member States, and some graduate programmes have exact limits on years of professional experience since graduation.

3Prepare the documents named in the vacancy

Most current CERN notices request a CV in English or French plus the most relevant diploma or an achievement certificate if the diploma is pending. Add other evidence only when required or relevant, such as references or certifications. CERN recommends a clear, concise CV, ideally no longer than two A4 pages.

4Submit a complete application through SmartRecruiters

Select **Apply now** on the vacancy and complete CERN’s SmartRecruiters application form. CERN considers complete online applications submitted through its careers site, not applications sent by email, post or social media. Answer the vacancy-specific questions accurately and upload each requested document before proceeding.

5Review, submit and track the exact application

Check eligibility answers, dates, attachments and the deadline in Geneva time before submitting. CERN says a typical online application takes about 15 minutes once documents are ready. Keep the confirmation email, then use your applicant account to monitor the status or withdraw the application if necessary.

6Prepare for CERN’s selection stages

Recruiters and hiring managers review applications against the post. Depending on the role, shortlisted candidates may complete an asynchronous video interview, technical or behavioural assessment, panel discussion or informal interview. CERN communicates the outcome and guides successful candidates through its onboarding process.

CERN Market Insights

Current vacancy activity and the career areas represented across active CERN listings.

Active jobs

58

Added this month

49

+43 vs last month

Typical posting age

21 days

Most active month

August

Least active month

June

Most active duty station

Geneva

Based on IGO Jobs internal index data. See methodology and sources.

Top Job Functions

Top Grades

Top Contract Types

Professional
Intern
General

Frequently asked questions about CERN careers

Where do I apply for CERN jobs?+

Apply through careers.cern, CERN’s official careers site, where the vacancy’s Apply now button opens the SmartRecruiters applicant system. CERN says complete applications must be submitted through that site, not by email, post or social media. After submitting, use the applicant account to monitor status or withdraw an application.

What types of opportunities does CERN offer?+

CERN recruits staff across science, engineering, computing, technical services and enabling functions, and runs distinct graduate, fellowship, student and apprenticeship routes. A programme’s degree, experience, nationality and previous-CERN-contract conditions can be very specific. Always use the current notice rather than applying assumptions from another programme.

Can applicants from any country work at CERN?+

Not necessarily in the same way for every opening. CERN’s recruitment pool is predominantly its Member and Associate Member States, and many programme notices require that nationality. A limited number of research positions can consider others, but the vacancy’s nationality, degree, experience and prior CERN-contract requirements control eligibility.

What happens after I submit a CERN application?+

Once submitted, CERN confirms receipt and recruiters and hiring managers assess the application against the vacancy. Shortlisted candidates may complete an asynchronous video interview, technical or behavioural assessment, panel discussion or informal interview, depending on the role. CERN says it keeps applicants informed before a final decision or offer.

Which documents should I prepare for a CERN application?+

Most current vacancies request a CV in English or French and a copy of the most relevant diploma or an achievement certificate if the diploma is not yet available. A notice may also require other relevant evidence, such as references or certifications. CERN advises a concise CV, ideally no longer than two A4 pages.

Are CERN jobs remote?+

Most CERN jobs are tied to the laboratory near Geneva because the work involves accelerators, detector systems, site services or close collaboration with technical teams. Work-arrangement, travel and duty-location expectations are given in each vacancy. Do not interpret a flexible-hours policy or a programme title as a remote-work guarantee.