When a single opportunity can place you at the heart of humanity’s most ambitious scientific mission, it stops being just a fellowship and starts becoming a career-defining breakthrough. The CERN Physics Research Fellowship 2026 is now officially open, and for experimental physicists around the world, this is the moment that can transform years of study into global scientific impact.
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, this elite fellowship invites the next generation of particle physicists to step directly into CERN’s experimental groups, work with the most advanced scientific instruments ever built, and lead original research at the frontiers of physics. With a tax-free stipend that reaches beyond 7,400 Swiss Francs per month and full financial security built into the package, this is not just a research role — it is a fully supported launchpad into the global scientific elite.
Benefits of the CERN Physics Research Fellowship 2026
Winning this fellowship means stepping into one of the most complete research support systems in the world:
- A tax-free monthly stipend of 7,004–7,425 CHF, depending on qualifications
- 24-month contract, with outstanding candidates eligible for extension up to 36 months
- 30 days of paid leave every year plus two weeks of CERN’s annual closure
- Full health insurance coverage for you, your spouse, and your children
- Family, child, and infant allowances based on personal circumstances
- Relocation package including installation grant and travel expenses
- Membership in the CERN Pension Fund
- Continuous professional training, including language courses
- Daily access to the world’s most advanced particle physics infrastructure
- A place in a truly international scientific community shaping the future of physics
This is what it looks like when excellence is fully funded.
Who Can Apply for the CERN Physics Research Fellowship 2026
If you’re aiming for CERN, you’re already playing in the top league. Here’s what they’re looking for.
In simple terms, this fellowship is for early-career researchers who are ready to lead.
- You are a national of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State
- You hold a PhD or will obtain it within six months of the deadline
- You have no more than six years of research experience after completing your PhD
- You have never held a CERN Fellow or Graduate contract before
- You have a strong background in experimental particle physics or a closely related field
- You can work professionally in English or French
- You are motivated to contribute to high-impact international research teams.
Apply: https://careers.cern/jobs/research-fellowship-experimental-physics/
Application Deadline for the CERN Physics Research Fellowship
The last date to apply for the CERN Physics Research Fellowship 2026 in Switzerland is 15 February 2026, and all applications must be submitted before 23:59 Geneva time. If you want to begin your research journey at CERN in September 2026, this deadline is not just important.